On May 3rd, union members from both of our Ascension-St. Francis Hospital bargaining units overwhelmingly voted in support of the tentative agreements for the new 2-year Service/Tech contract and 3-year RN contract. The contracts are now considered ratified, and are in effect as of May 3rd.
This negotiation was unlike any other in recent history for our union at St. Francis. We had so much ground to make up for after all we've been through the last two years. After 8 months, 28 meetings, a federal mediator, and hours upon hours of work, we believe we reached the best possible deal with Ascension.
A full summary of the all the changes can be found here. Highlights include:
- Improved staffing language.
- Bonuses: $500/$250/$200 for FT/PT/Pool
- Severance pay.
- Parental leave.
- PTO for mental health reasons.
- Expanded anti-discrimination language to include gender identity.
- Expansion of grievance rights.
- RN representation on TCAB.
- Review of radiology positions to ensure jobs are described, classified, and compensated appropriately.
- Wage increases, with an average raise of 6.38%, and many with more.
- Wage equity and clarity.
We want to THANK YOU ALL for the support you have given us throughout this process. A huge thank you to the entire bargaining team and all the members who took the time to vote, fill out surveys, sign petitions, attend meetings, and wear our contract campaign stickers. While this is not a perfect contract, it is a vast improvement above what we had and will provide new ways for us to address the key issues of wages, staffing, and respect in our hospital.
Solidarity helped us immensely, and we can do even better next time. WHEN WE STAND UP TOGETHER—WE WIN TOGETHER, and that's what being a union is all about!