Despite Worries Over Dignity Health Merger, Workers Secure Raises In New Contract
And members of the SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West will also maintain fully paid, employer-provided family healthcare, which union officials called a “key point of contention” in negotiations.
The Bakersfield Californian:
SEIU Workers Reach Contract Agreement With Dignity Health After Multi-Million Dollar Merger
More than 15,000 Dignity Health workers in California signed a five-year contract with their employer this month that included 13 percent raises over five years, ending speculation from employees that the merger between Dignity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives would lead to diminished pay and benefits. The resolution comes after Dignity Health employees, including some in Bakersfield, staged protests last month over concerns that the interests of patients would be ignored after the two companies merged into a $28 billion corporation. (3/19)
In other news —
Ventura County Star:
St. John's Hospital Workers Ratify New Contract
More than 900 workers at St. John's hospitals in Oxnard and Camarillo have come to terms on a new contract that includes 13 percent in pay increases spread out over five years, union officials said Monday. The contract between Dignity Health and SEIU-UHW covers 15,000 workers at Dignity's 28 California hospitals including 538 at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and 373 at St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo. The workers include certified nursing assistants, technicians and other employees outside of registered nurses who have their own union. (Kisken, 3/19)