SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier today St. Luke’s nurses voted overwhelming to approve a final contract offer that includes significant wage increases, continued fully paid health insurance, an increase in dental coverage, generous retirement contributions and historic staffing ratio and schedule protections.
“Throughout this negotiating process we have remained committed to providing our valued professional nursing staff with competitive wages and benefits, as well as a respectful and flexible work environment in which to care for patients,” explains Diana Netherton, CNE. “This new contract reflects that commitment.”
Under St. Luke’s contract offer, the annual salary of a nurse would increase by 12% the first year of the contract, with an additional 6% increase in the second year. Nurses will also receive excellent health and retirement benefits and enjoy industry-leading changes to their work environment. Some highlights of the new contract include:
-- 18% wage increases over two years -- Continued fully paid health care coverage for nurses and their dependents -- A health care retiree spending account valued at up to $30,000 -- 18% increase in contributions to pension program -- Creation of a new joint committee to evaluate staffing and scheduling options -- Commitment to nurse staffing ratios
“We are pleased to have reached a peaceful resolution to this negotiating process and feel the final contract reflects our commitment to meeting the needs of our nurses, our patients and the San Francisco community,” concludes Netherton.
“St. Luke’s remains committed to reaching agreement on a contract that will ensure our employees are paid competitive wages and benefits and continue to work in a respectful work environment. While we are sincerely committed to reaching agreement on a contract, we will not allow our patients or our employees to become pawns in the union’s nationwide agenda.”
St. Luke’s Nurses: ADD ONE
“Back in February, when it became clear the union was deliberately delaying progress, St. Luke’s made a decision to provide our employees their well-deserved wage increases even though agreement had not been reached with SEIU on a contract. If the hospital had not taken that action, our employees would still be without the well-deserved wage increases.
“We are proud of our offer to our employees and have continued to meet in an attempt to make progress on our proposal which includes: Competitive wage increases; a new Retiree Healthcare Spending Account valued up to $20,000; Increased benefits in pension plans; Increased reimbursement for education expenses -- up to $1,200 per year and more paid educational leave; Continued fully paid health care for employees and dependents and increased reimbursement for dental care -- up to $1,200 per year; and a continued voice in patient care and staffing through existing committees.
“We hope union leaders choose to return to the bargaining table, rather than unfairly asking our employees to participate in a disruptive strike. However, whatever path the union chooses, St. Luke’s is prepared to continue providing the highest quality health care possible to residents of our community.”
St. Luke’s Hospital is a full-service, 260-bed private non-profit hospital, providing quality health services to all San Franciscans for over 130 years. St. Luke’s Hospital offers a full range of services including: 24-hour emergency care, inpatient and outpatient surgery; labor, delivery and maternity; cardiac catheterization and a heart health center; a neonatal intensive care unit; oncology services, an orthopedic center; a full-service imaging department (MRI, mammography, CT scan, bone densitometry) and diabetes and asthma education programs. St. Luke’s capable and caring staff is uniquely qualified to provide high quality health care to the diverse cultural populations of San Franciscans.
St. Luke’s Hospital is an affiliate of Sutter Health, one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit networks of community-based health care providers, which delivers high quality care in more than 100 Northern California communities. Sutter Health supports more than two dozen locally run acute care hospitals and physician organizations, medical research facilities, physician and nurse education programs, and region-wide home health, hospice and occupational health services.
St. Luke’s Hospital
CONTACT: Rob A. Seide, Manager, Marketing & Communications of St. Luke’sHospital, +1-415-641-6580, or mobile, +1-415-730-8721
Web site: http://www.sutterhealth.org/
