Vote to approve new deal with raises and sick leave, seniority improvements.
Workers at the Avalon chain of nursing homes have overwhelmingly approved a new contract, which provides significant wage and benefit improvements. The vote came today at the three facilities where SEIU-UHW has workers.
"We have won real improvements in this contract for all Avalon workers," said Patty Mosley, who works at Avalon's Mark Twain facility and serves on the SEIU-UHW Bargaining Committee. "This result shows what we have accomplished through our unity."
"The bargaining team is happy that this long hard fight is over and we are even happier with the vote results," added Marissa Neal, who works at Avalon Chowchilla. "This vote count shows that we are united," added Charlotte Fernandez, who also works at Chowchilla.
The new contract includes several key improvements and protections:
- Six raises equaling $2.25 per hour over the life of the agreement;
- Lump sum retro pay checks back to Jan. 1, 2009;
- Major improvements in sick leave, seniority language, and disciplinary protections;
- Formation of a Float Pool;
- Creation of a Quality Care Committee; and
- Agreement to reopen discussions on improving healthcare, leave time and pensions.