Members of 1199SEIU Florida recently won a wage reopener at Coral Gables Nursing and Rehabilitation Center that secured significant pay increases and bonuses for about 60 long-term care workers at the facility.

With an existing contract already guaranteeing a 2% wage increase, negotiations led by union members included these important financial improvements from the employer:

• An additional $0.55 per hour in permanent wage increases
• $10,850.78 in one-time bonuses
• An average permanent wage increase of 5.34%
• Approximately $107,227 in annualized wage gains
• Approximately $118,078 in total first-year economic value
• Nearly $77,775 more in the first year than the original 2% increase alone

Earning the additional pay increases were Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), dietary workers and housekeeping staff in the 1199SEIU bargaining unit. 

“The cost of living in Florida is incredibly high today, so these increases are very important for us to pay our bills and support our families,” said Maritza Ortiz, a CNA at Coral Gables Nursing and Rehab who served as a member leader at the negotiating table and who kept coworkers informed and involved throughout the process.  “Bargaining with employers is never easy, but standing together and strong with my co-workers and union family made this win possible.”

“We’re very proud of our members who stayed united, engaged, and determined throughout the process,” said Margarette Nerette, Vice President Long-Term Care South for 1199SEIU Florida.  “This agreement doesn’t include everything we proposed, but it is substantially stronger than management’s initial offers. The focus, collective effort and sustained pressure applied by our members at the bargaining table put more money in their hands today.”