SEIU enters two new tentative contract agreements with Watsonville Community Hospital

Watsonville Community Hospital announced today that it has reached two new tentative contract agreements with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers-West.  The new three-year agreements require approval through ratification by SEIU-represented employees. That vote will be scheduled by the SEIU and is expected to take place soon.

The new contracts cover workers in two bargaining units - the professional unit and the service and maintenance unit.  Those units represent a diverse group of hospital employees, including clinical aides, medical technicians in the radiology, surgical, and emergency departments, pharmacy technicians, clinical lab scientists, and support personnel in areas such as environmental services, the dietary department and engineering.

"Respectful, good-faith bargaining led to productive negotiations and, ultimately, to these mutually acceptable agreements with the SEIU," said Cindy Weigelt, community relations manager for Watsonville Community Hospital. "We look forward to ratification by the employees who are covered by the agreements and appreciate their contributions to the hospital and their care of our patients."