Lawrence Hospital Workers Finally Get Their Contract

After more than a year of on and off negotiations, the 1199SEIU members at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, NY finally have a second contract.

Many 1199 veteran members remember the historic decades-long struggle for union recognition and a contract at Lawrence – one that brought leaders like the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the late civil rights activist Ossie Davis to the forefront of that fight. The workers won their first contract in 2002. That contract expired in December 2007. The members overwhelmingly ratified the new second contract on November 11.

Union negotiating committee member Glen Gary said, “We are all very proud of the sacrifices and efforts that were collectively made to achieve this contract. We tirelessly fought to move us in the right direction toward economic security. Now, we have more wage and benefit parity with the other hospital workers in our region.”

The 370 members achieved what they considered their biggest hurdle: Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday is now recognized as a legal holiday for 1199 SEIU Lawrence Hospital workers.

The contract includes annual wage increases of three percent, which will take effect as of July 1, 2008 through July 1, 2011, as well as new minimum hourly rates for all job classifications. Members’ health benefits will continue to be covered by the 1199 National Benefit Fund (NBF), which means no premiums or co-pays and important NBF benefits like the 1199 Training and Upgrading Fund and the 1199 Child Care Fund.

Other contract provisions:

• Job security
• Anniversary benefits
• Part-time employees who have worked full-time hours in a 26 period will become a full-time employee and eligible for the same benefits as full-time 1199 SEIU members

Gary said, “There’s still more work to do in order to have the best contract possible. By continuing to work together, we hope to be able to accomplish even more in the next round of contract negotiations.”