1199SEIU healthcare workers at 19 HCA-affiliated hospitals in Florida made history by voting overwhelmingly on December 6 to approve collective bargaining agreements that will impact 10,000workers.



Less than a year after completing the largest healthcare workers organizing drive in the U.S. South, nurses, service and technical workers reached breakthrough agreements with their employers.



“We made history in Florida last night and it's something that I can give to my grandchildren. They can say Grandma was a part of that. We are changing the culture of Florida and that is awesome," said Pat Diaz, RN at University Hospital in Broward County.



The 1199 negotiating team won top-of-the-line patient care delivery standards like:



A process to address staffing levels and patient overload so patients can receive more time with their caregivers;A seat at the table with management so front-line healthcare workers can offer solutions to patient care and workplace issues;A new process that will give patients peace of mind knowing their nurses has received adequate orientation when they are assigned to work on nursing units other than their regularly assigned nursing unit andImprovements to scheduling to safeguard against any decrease of quality in patient care due to caregiver shift changes.

“This is a new beginning not only for the healthcare workers who struggled so hard for these important changes; but for all working people, “ said Paul Griffin, Maintenance Technician at the Medical Center of Trinity, formerly Community Hospital in New Port Richey.



“This is a huge step in improving the delivery of healthcare as front-line caregivers will have a greater voice in patient care. These contracts set a great example of what can be done when workers stick together.”



Peggy Burrows, an LPN at Aventura Medical Center in Miami added, “I’ve worked here for so many years and to have a union contract now is mind boggling. If my grandchildren decide to work here some day, they can look at me and say they love their jobs.”