Workers Ratify at Bryn Mawr Terrace and Saunders House
On March 7th and 8th, workers at Bryn Mawr Terrace and Saunders House in Wynnewood voted by 94% to ratify their new union contracts. By standing strong and staying on the offense, workers acheived a 3-3.5% raise over the next three years, with a $1 increase in starting rates, 100% employer paid single coverage and 80% for dependents. The employer also agreed to for a 25% match to workers’ retirement plan. And finally, our members won entry into the Training and Education Fund.
Golden Living Center
Relatively smooth bargaining has finally hit a snag as we finally received GLC’s economic proposals. They have proposed wage increases well under 2.5%. What’s more, GLC is digging in its heels over allowing the new LPNs in the master contract, arguing they would have to increase healthcare costs for all other members to do so. We know GLC is a highly profitable company and can afford not to balance new employee costs on our backs. Bargaining will continue next week.
Extendicare
Extendicare’s new economic proposals parallel GLC and are similarly unacceptable. Also, because we have three new Extendicare facilities not yet in our union’s health and wellfare fund, management is trying to suggest health costs would be increased for everyone if they are included. We know divisionary tactics when we see them and we need to stay united for all.
Genesis
Bargaining continued this week and wages have become a sticking point here as well. Management does not want to offer a wage increase the first year, instead offering a lump sum bonus. We work hard and deserve a real raise that keeps up with the cost of living. We will begin discussing retirement in the next round of bargaining.
Reliant/ Global/ GuardianÂ
We will be bargaining with Reliant on Friday March 22nd, and Global and Guardian at the end of March. We will keep you updated on developments here as they unfold.
Speak Out for Quality Care and Quality Jobs
Next week is a big week for us to raise our voices and draw attention to the important work we do and what we can do to improve staffing and working conditions.
- Speakout for Quality Care and Quality Jobs – On Monday, March 18, Members from all over the state will gather in Harrisburg to urge their legislators to support important legislation that has been introduced that will hold our nursing homes more accountable to residents, caregivers and communities. We will tell our representatives how they can partner with us to improve our facilities.
- Statewide Day of Action –Â On Thursday, March 21, members at virtually every nursing home facility will be standing up and speaking out at their nursing homes to demand better quality care and quality jobs. Please ask your All In teams for details on an action near you.
We are gathering steam and need to keep pushing ahead – together!
We will continue to update you on the progress of contract negotiations. Make sure you “like” our Facebook pageto help broaden our support and join our Facebook group to stay connected with your co-workers and get bargaining updates.