Pocono Medical Center Workers Finally Get Their Contract—With a Little Help from Their Friends

November 11, 2011

On Tuesday, nearly 550 Pocono Medical Center service and maintenance workers in Pennsylvania voted by 92 percent to ratify a new contract, capping their over year-long struggle against management’s attack on their union.

PMC workers’ fight is part of the widening movement of workers and young people from Wisconsin to Wall Street standing up for workers’ rights, good jobs, and an economy that works for the 99 percent. It is fitting that PMC workers voted to approve their new contract on the same day that Ohio voters stood up to repeal Governor Kasich’s union-busting law.

Over the last year, PMC workers have struck twice, led a 5,000 person march and rally of 1199SEIU and other union members, demonstrated at the bank where the hospital’s Board Chairman is CEO, won a union shop “deauthorization” election, gained broad support from elected officials and community members, secured a major NLRB complaint against the hospital, and more.

SEIU Pennsylvania Healthcare President Neal Bisno wrote to 1199SEIU President George Gresham and Secretary-Treasurer Maria Castaneda and other labor leaders, “On behalf of all PMC workers, THANK YOU for all of your support and solidarity, it has been incredible.”

Here are some highlights of their new 2-year contract:

Stopped management’s demand for an open shop! Workers will maintain a modified union shop where all current and new employees must join/remain union members over the life of the contract, except for limited opt out periodsImmediately raises wages for lowest paid workers from $8.16 to $9.50 per hour (an increase of $1.34 per hour or 16.4%)3% across the board for wage increase all employees (or $9.50 per hour, whichever is greater), retroactive to 7/1/11, and another 3% across the board raise effective 11/1/12Eliminates “wage caps” over the life of the agreement (for the first time senior workers will receive across the board raises rather than lump sum payments)Maintains affordable health insurance with strict caps on employee contributionsProtects and preserves defined benefit pension planAchieves a variety of contractual improvementsResolves unfair labor practices, including a fair and just settlement for Rafelina Caraballo who was illegally fired in retaliation for standing up for her co-workers.