Sutter Roseville Service Workers Approve Contract Against Union Recommendation

Service workers at Sutter Roseville Medical Center yesterday voted to approve a new three-year contract against the recommendation of their union, the Sacramento Bee reports. Service Employees International Union Local 250, which represents the 450 workers, recommended that they reject the proposed contract and hold a strike on Dec. 23 to lobby for improved wages and benefits and a larger role in hospital decisions (Rapaport, Sacramento Bee, 12/4). The workers held the one-day strike on Nov. 14 after union representatives and hospital officials failed to reach agreement on a new contract; the workers' contract expired Nov. 13. Union representatives and hospital officials had disagreed over salary increases and health benefits (California Healthline, 11/20). Sutter Roseville officials offered the workers as much as $3,000 bonuses to approve the contract, proposed Nov. 27 in negotiations supervised by a federal mediator. The contract includes wage increases of 6% in 2003 and 7% in 2004, with total increases based on the position and experience of the workers. The contract also states that the hospital will cover 100% of the cost of health insurance for the workers and 95% of the cost of coverage for their dependents (Sacramento Bee, 12/4).