Workers at eight metro hospitals ratify new contract

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_5246

24 May 2012

ST. PAUL - On Tuesday and Wednesday, 3,500 members of the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Minnesota overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new, three-year contract with eight metro area hospitals.

The agreement is with Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, Fairview Riverside Hospital in Minneapolis, Children’s Hospitals in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Health East’s Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul and St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood, North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, and Park Nicollet/Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park.

“Many of the contract changes the hospitals wanted posed significant cuts to the extent that earning family-sustaining incomes were put at-risk for most of these low-wage workers,” said Tee McClenty, vice president of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota.

“While the hospitals were asking us workers to work more for less, we were simply trying to hold the line on proposed cuts that would have reduced benefits like overtime and health insurance. I’m satisfied with what we protected and achieved,” said Jermaine Rayford, a longtime cook at Fairview Southdale Hospital.

FULL story at link.