Service Workers at Stanford, Lucille Packard Children’s Hospitals To Vote on Proposed Contract

Service and maintenance workers at Stanford Hospital and Lucille Packard Children's Hospital today plan to vote on a new contract agreement, the AP/Fresno Bee reports. Stanford spokesperson Maria La Ganga said that the proposed contract, which includes a 21% wage increase over three years, represents the hospitals' "last, best and final offer" for the 1,400 workers, who include nursing assistants and other technicians, the AP/Bee reports (AP/Fresno Bee, 11/8). The workers, represented by Service Employees International Union Local 715, have sought improved wages, a procedure to address staffing issues and less use of nonunion workers at the hospitals (California Healthline, 10/31). According to union representatives, the proposed contract does not meet a request from workers to have "more of a say" in staffing levels. Hospital officials said that they have proposed a joint labor-management committee to address the issue. The workers, whose contract expired Monday, last month authorized a one-day strike for Nov. 13 if they cannot reach a contract agreement (AP/Fresno Bee, 11/8).