SANTA ROSA, CA - Last night radiology techs, surgical techs, clerical staff, environmental services,and other caregivers, members of Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) ratified a new union contract - 230-3 (98%) - at Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa. The ratification of this contract means that all SEIU-UHW members working at Sutter facilities are under contract and all contracts will expire in December 2012.
"We have always provided the Santa Rosa community with good, quality patient care and this contract - with its raises and job security - means we will continue to have the best staff possible to continue to provide that care," said Richard Cruz, an admitting clerk and member of the bargaining team, at the hospital.
The contract includes:
- 9. 27% raises, compounded over the next two-years and seven months: 3% increase upon ratification; 3% starting April 20, 2011; and 3% starting April 20, 2012.
- Protects healthcare coverage - maintains fully-employer paid health insurance.
- Improved Job security: for the first time includes language banning sub-contracting and guarantees a position for all employees when the new hospital is opened.
- Signing Bonus: A signing bonus of up to $600.
In 2009, SEIU-UHW-represented hospital workers received on average wage increases for the first year of their contract well-above the national average of 2.3%.
Over the past three months SEIU-UHW workers at eight other facilities within the Sutter system have settled contracts, including the Alta Bates/Summit Medical Center in Berkeley and Oakland, Amador Medical Center in Jackson, California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, Delta Medical Center in Antioch, Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley, Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport, Roseville Medical Center in Roseville, and Sutter Solano in Vallejo.
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For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Contact: Adriana Surfas, 510-869-2246
SEIU - United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is the largest hospital and healthcare union in the western United States with more than 150,000 members. We unite every type of healthcare worker with a mission to achieve high-quality healthcare for all. SEIU-UHW is part of the 2.1 million-member Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the nation's fastest-growing union. Learn more at www.seiu-uhw.org