It’s a contract victory for the 1199SEIU healthcare workers at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in New York’s Hudson Valley! The workers, who have been 1199 members for more than a decade, voted overwhelmingly in favor of the successor agreement, which meets their contract goals by preserving no cost health benefits and a guaranteed pension.

In addition to wage increases that total 10.5% across the life of the contract, language that addresses job security was amended to provide more protection to members. The new contract is effective May 1, 2015 through September 30, 2018.

The ratification vote took place in early September after several months of negotiations. Matters heated up when management refused to meet the union committee’s demand that negotiations must be held at a location accessible to all bargaining unit members.

“The members stood by their committee, stayed together and stood up for what is right. The end result is an agreement that is good for St. Luke’s healthcare workers, patients, our families and our community,” said 1199SEIU Vice President Cynthia Wolff.