Healthcare workers at former Jordan Hospital win better wages while preserving health benefits, education programs
PLYMOUTH, MA – Nearly 800 workers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Plymouth, formerly Jordan Hospital, have ratified a new labor contract that increases wages and preserves key education and health insurance benefits.
The contract is the first ever to be signed between a hospital operated by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and members of the state’s largest healthcare union, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. BIDMC officially acquired Jordan Hospital on January 1, 2014.
Healthcare workers supported the acquisition while maintaining that the acquisition’s benefits to the community would ultimately be determined by the willingness of BIDMC executives to follow through with investments in local jobs and patient services. Caregivers say the new contract is a positive development showing that BIDMC is willing to invest in Plymouth area workers and patients.
“This victory is a win-win for workers and patients alike. Healthcare workers have been outspoken in calling for BIDMC to invest in quality care and jobs for our community. This contract helps secure those kinds of investments and will help make our hospital an even better place to work and receive care moving forward,” said Pauline Sgarzi, a unit coordinator with 32 years’ experience at the hospital. 1199SEIU members at BIDMC Plymouth voted overwhelmingly (86% yes) to approve the new pact.
In the new contract, workers were also able to preserve key education and health insurance benefits – benefits which management had originally sought to curtail.
“We are glad that management agreed to maintain its commitment to the education and training programs. In the rapidly changing healthcare industry, education and training opportunities play a key role in helping hospital workers deliver the best possible care to patients,” said Deb Jakowski, a Surgical Technologist with 30 years’ experience at the hospital.
1199SEIU members eligible for step increases will receive an average 4% increase annually and all members will receive at least 3% over the next two years.
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Representing nearly 50,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and nearly 400,000 workers across the East Coast, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million member Service Employees International Union.
PLYMOUTH, MA – Nearly 800 workers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Plymouth, formerly Jordan Hospital, have ratified a new labor contract that increases wages and preserves key education and health insurance benefits.
The contract is the first ever to be signed between a hospital operated by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and members of the state’s largest healthcare union, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. BIDMC officially acquired Jordan Hospital on January 1, 2014.
Healthcare workers supported the acquisition while maintaining that the acquisition’s benefits to the community would ultimately be determined by the willingness of BIDMC executives to follow through with investments in local jobs and patient services. Caregivers say the new contract is a positive development showing that BIDMC is willing to invest in Plymouth area workers and patients.
“This victory is a win-win for workers and patients alike. Healthcare workers have been outspoken in calling for BIDMC to invest in quality care and jobs for our community. This contract helps secure those kinds of investments and will help make our hospital an even better place to work and receive care moving forward,” said Pauline Sgarzi, a unit coordinator with 32 years’ experience at the hospital. 1199SEIU members at BIDMC Plymouth voted overwhelmingly (86% yes) to approve the new pact.
In the new contract, workers were also able to preserve key education and health insurance benefits – benefits which management had originally sought to curtail.
“We are glad that management agreed to maintain its commitment to the education and training programs. In the rapidly changing healthcare industry, education and training opportunities play a key role in helping hospital workers deliver the best possible care to patients,” said Deb Jakowski, a Surgical Technologist with 30 years’ experience at the hospital.
1199SEIU members eligible for step increases will receive an average 4% increase annually and all members will receive at least 3% over the next two years.
# # #
Representing nearly 50,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and nearly 400,000 workers across the East Coast, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million member Service Employees International Union.
