CASTRO VALLEY, Calif., March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- After intense negotiations that lasted into the early hours of Wednesday, Eden Medical Center announced today that they were able to reach tentative agreement on a contract for both bargaining units represented by the union at the medical center. SEIU has called a vote of the employees for Wednesday, March 8. Upon ratification of these agreements, striking workers will be returned to work beginning on Thursday, March 9.
“We are pleased that we were able to reach conclusion to these negotiations in the best interests of our employees,” said George Bischalaney, President & CEO of Eden Medical Center. “The final contract agreement is both fair and competitive, and it demonstrates our commitment to our employees and to making Eden Medical Center a premier place to work and deliver quality care.”
The contract for both the service and clerical units are extremely competitive. They include:
-- Competitive Wages Increases totaling a minimum of nearly 10% over the next two years for service workers, while clerical workers received this and an additional adjustment to their salary ranges -- Retiree Health Care Account valued at up to $25,000 per employee -- Fully paid employee and dependent health and dental coverage -- New Pension Enhancements including increased contributions from Eden -- New Eden-specific training fund valued at up to 0.25% of payroll, jointly administered by medical center and SEIU -- Tuition Reimbursement -- $1,200 per employee per year (on top of new training fund) -- New Organizing/Election Procedures at Eden Hospital campus -- Education Leave -- 40 hours -- Expiration of contract on 6/30/08
SEIU represents 300 housekeepers, food service workers, unit clerks, nursing assistants, licensed vocational nurses and clerical employees at Eden. The parties have been negotiating for more than two years. SEIU called a strike that began on February 28. However, more than 65% of Eden employees represented by SEIU who were scheduled to work crossed the picket line and reported to work during the union-sponsored work stoppage.
“I would like to thank Congresswoman Barbara Lee and her staff, as well as bargaining team members from the medical center and the union for their perseverance and dedication to finalizing these difficult negotiations,” continued Bischalaney. “Most important, I would like to thank all of the employees at Eden Medical Center. Their professionalism and commitment are what make our medical center a premier provider of health care in this community.”
“I look forward to moving beyond these difficult negotiations and continuing our focus together on our core mission: the delivery of high quality health care to our patients and this community,” concluded Bischalaney.
Eden Medical Center
CONTACT: Cassandra Phelps, +1-510-727-2720, for Eden Medical Center
