Bargaining committee members of 1199SEIU are negotiating with Tenet Healthcare for a new contract that will stem rampant turnover and the staffing, retention and care crisis at the corporation’s four major hospitals in Palm Beach County.

Workers at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, Good Samaritan Medical Center and West Boca Medical Center are calling for:

--Increased wages that at a minimum match market levels.

--A wage scale based on years of experience.

--Raises each year to help keep up with the rapidly rising South Florida cost of living.

--Safe staffing levels and other protections for workers and patients.

  After almost a year of negotiating, Tenet has moved off of its proposed 1.5% across-the-board wage increase, but bargaining committee members say there still is a significant way to go before an adequate agreement is reached.

“Tenet portrays itself as a ‘community built on care,’ but is it truly living up to that pledge while allowing the staffing and retention crisis to deepen?” said RN Cheryl Wikel, a nurse at St. Mary’s. “The company has the resources to fairly compensate, retain, and support experienced staff, which directly translates into improved quality of care for patients.”

To reinforce 1199SEIU’s negotiating position and concerns, the bargaining committee has pointed to Tenet:

--Reporting $3.2 billion in profits in 2024*.

--Paying $24.7 million in total compensation to its CEO, after a 33% raise in 2024**.

--Scoring only “One-star” or “Two-star” CMS ratings across all Palm Beach County hospitals***.

--Many critical healthcare staff earning less in wages than fast food workers.

“No healthcare job should be a minimum wage job,” said 1199SEIU VP Mark Criswell. “Our members provide critical care to the community in many essential and difficult roles, and we are fighting to ensure they are paid and protected.”

In addition to negotiating with Tenet representatives, 1199SEIU workers have passed out flyers to the public, and are considering higher-profile actions and campaigns to highlight the staffing crisis and other issues at the hospitals.

“last quote tweaked by Terri Bushway, Nurse, St Mary

“Our top priority is the community we serve. We need to hold tenant accountable and address the serious issues in their facilities,” said St. Mary’s nurse RN Terri Bushway. “And we need the full strength of our union members speaking out, standing together and taking action with unity and support.”

To join a bargaining committee or for more information, contact your facility’s 1199SEIU organizer.