Certified nurse assistants, respiratory therapists, ER technicians and other caregivers who are members of Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers - West (SEIU-UHW) at Tenet Hospitals have reached a tentative agreement that will help the hospitals maintain high standards for patient care.
The three-year contract covers 3,000 staff and includes a strong voice for caregivers on patient care issues, guaranteed raises of up to 18% compounded over the next three years, employer-paid health insurance, and a ban on subcontracting jobs.
"I'm so glad we have the strength of our union, SEIU-UHW. In these tough economic times, we were able to win a contract that will let us properly provide for our families and care for our patients," said Karen Cain, a respiratory therapist at Tenet's Doctors Medical Center in Modesto.
The tentative agreement includes:
- Quality of Care Committees that ensure a strong voice for caregivers on key patient care and staffing issues.
- Guaranteed 2% - 4.5% raises for all full-time and part-time employees over the next three years: increases in July 2011, July 2012 and July 2013.
- Job security: maintains language banning sub-contracting and provides additional protections for employees if hospital is sold.
- Protected healthcare coverage: maintains quality family health insurance coverage free of premiums for full-time and part-time employees.
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