The new 3-year labor contract covering over 450 caregivers at Steuben County’s major hospital includes more than 8% wage increases, pension improvements,  quality health insurance coverage and more. 

Corning, NY – Guthrie Corning Hospital workers are celebrating a new 3-year labor contract. 1199SEIU members voted to ratify the agreement late last evening. The new agreement comes as workers will celebrate their 30^th year since first forming their union.  Caregivers are represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare workers union in the country. 

Caregivers won an 8.5% general wage increase over the three-year deal that includes 2.75% in the first two years and 3% in the third year.  In addition to wage increases, caregivers working in 14 different job classifications will see additional wage increases as well. Approximately 70 service workers will now earn minimum of $17.00 per hour which is an additional wage increase of 3.25%. 

With their union, Hospital workers also won increases in employer provided pension contributions and now workers who meet certain criteria established in the contract language can retire prior to age 65 with their full pension benefits.  To help with staffing levels, the hospital agreed to increase charge pay, increase night shift differential, make improvements to float pay, and provide additional pay for certifications. 

Hospital workers were able to preserve their health insurance benefits with minimal changes.

“We have a well-rounded contract for all of our union members. I’m very happy with this contract in these tough times for healthcare workers,” said Dawn Vargeson, Registered Nurse for 37 years at Corning Hospital. 

“We had a diverse negotiating team representing our fellow employees.  We all worked together toward a common goal - safe staffing incentives, health insurance we can all live with and market rate adjustments, and pension improvements to assist with recruitment and retention to continue the high quality patient care at Corning Hospital,” said Beth Fisher, LDRP, RN. 

Union members work as Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Service and Maintenance Workers, Clerical Workers, and Technicians. 

The new 3-year union contract runs through April 30, 2028.

On background:

Contract talks between Guthrie Corning Hospital and the union representing healthcare workers began mid-March.  Last month, union members overwhelmingly voted to authorize an informational picket^[1]. Healthcare workers were fighting for improved staffing levels, quality affordable health insurance coverage and benefits, and competitive wages to help retain and recruit more workers.      

A Federal Mediator from Federal Mediation and Reconciliation Services (FMCS) joined contract talks in an effort to help both sides reach an agreement.