The state’s largest community-based healthcare system and the state’s largest healthcare workers union announced on Friday, December 11 that they have reached an historic four-year labor agreement that will enhance jobs and care delivery at four Caritas Christi hospitals. The innovative agreement establishes a series of joint labor-management initiatives and committees to enhance quality care delivery across the facilities.
The contract – which was ratified overwhelmingly by workers (90% YES) – also will provide significant wage, benefit, and education opportunity improvements for nearly 3,000 members of 1199SEIU at four Caritas Christi hospitals. Those improvements include Caritas Christi employees being able to access the 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund – the largest joint labor-management training and education fund in the country.
The agreement pertains to workers at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center (Brighton, MA), Carney Hospital (Dorchester, MA), Norwood Hospital (Norwood, MA), and Good Samaritan Medical Center (Brockton, MA). The contract will ensure years of workforce stability within the hospitals and will immediately bring the wages of the lowest-income employees within the four hospitals to at least a living wage of $12.62. Additional across the board raises for all 1199SEIU members are scheduled for January 1, 2010 (3% plus ratification bonus), October 1, 2010 (4%), October 1, 2011 (2% guaranteed plus another increase based on hospital reimbursement rate), October 1, 2012 (2% guaranteed plus another increase based on hospital reimbursement rate).
“I know I have a lot to contribute towards the quality care we provide our patients. And now I know that my voice is heard and respected. Winning this contract isn’t just about wages and benefits,” said Mary Nuahn, a Certified Nurse Assistant from Norwood Hospital, “It’s about dignity and respect for all
of us, and I’m proud to stand with my colleagues from across Caritas on this wonderful day.”
On Tuesday, October 6, ballots were counted at Norwood Hospital and hospital workers voted 302 to 106 to unite in 1199SEIU. Nearly 600 workers are joining their co-workers from St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center and Carney Hospital. The bargaining units include service and technical workers. These recent victories come on the heels of an historic fair union elections accord between Caritas Christi and 1199SEIU.
“I have been a CNA for 30 years, including 12 years at Norwood, and I love it,” said ICU Nursing Assistant Mary Nuahn. “The passion that I have for my patients continues to grow and I am excited for the new opportunities we will have as members of 1199. It will not only benefit us, but also patient care.”
Workers at Norwood Hospital, Carney Hospital and St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center have pledged to support the organizing efforts of workers at other Caritas Christi facilities where union election campaigns are expected to launch in the near future.
Following a two-day, hospital-wide vote, nearly 500 caregivers at Caritas Carney Hospital have voted overwhelmingly to join 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East! Read more
The new members of 1199SEIU include respiratory therapists, radiology techs, licensed practical nurses, nurse assistants, pharmacy techs, clerical workers, housekeepers, dietary workers and many others. The workers of Carney Hospital now join 1199SEIU members at other Caritas Christi facilities, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton and St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston – where more than 800 workers voted to join 1199SEIU just two months ago!
“This has been a long time coming, and we are thrilled,” said Carney Hospital Nuclear Medicine Technician Kathy Riley. “We are devoted to our patients and this community, and we’re excited about working together to make the quality of care at our hospital the best that it can be. We're proud to continue the momentum of hospital workers across Boston in joining 1199SEIU. Free and fair union elections for all!"
On Wednesday, April 8, ballots were counted by the National Labor Relations Board. Workers at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center voted overwhelmingly to unite together with thousands of healthcare workers in 1199SEIU!
“We are overjoyed by the news and thrilled that the new leadership of Caritas gave us the opportunity to make this decision for ourselves,” said St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center employee Sonia Marshall, “We believe in the mission of St. Elizabeth’s, and we’re excited about working together to make the quality of care at our hospital the best that it can be. We look forward to the day when all of our colleagues across Boston are able to have free and fair union elections."
