IP Bargaining Has Begun
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IP Bargaining Begins
Individual providers have begun negotiating our next union contract! The new contract will go into effect July 1, 2009 and last through June 30, 2011. Now is the time to get involved if you'd like to help shape our benefits and working conditions for years to come!
Start by reading our current contract, which remains in effect through June 20, 2009. You can access the current contract online here, or call our Member Service Center at 1-866-371-3200 and we'll mail you a copy.
It's not too late to answer the question: what are the most important issues to bring up in our new contract negotiations? Share your ideas and priorities by responding to our bargaining survey - return the survey you receieved in the mail, or click here to take the survey online now!
On April 3, SEIU Healthcare 775NW President David Rolf hosted a union-wide conference call to share information about the bargaining process. The audio from that phone call will be available on the web soon.
Bargaining will continue through the summer. Our statewide bargaining team includes dozens of our fellow union members from all parts of the state. They'll be providing regular bargaining updates on our website, and you'll be able to send them your comments.
We'll also be holding area gatherings across the state, where you'll be able to discuss bargaining and other union matters.
When our contract negotiations are complete, all IP union members will have the opportunity to vote to approve or reject the contract.
Who's Affected?
Individual Providers are 24,000 strong and include caregivers who provide Medicaid-funded care to people with disabilities and seniors, supporting their quality of life. All people who receive long term care deserve the same quality of care, no matter where they choose to live.
6,000 home care workers who work for private home care agencies are also participating in this campaign. Home care workers will enter contract negotiations in spring 2009, but are also participating in our bargaining survey this spring.
The IP contract sets the pattern for economic improvements for agency home care workers. Once members approve our contract, the State Legislature must vote to approve any additional funding needed to implement our contract. The Governor's budget then automatically matches the funding for home care agencies.
SEIU Healthcare 775NW: Setting the Standard for Quality Care
Our contracts for IPs and home care workers have set standards for the entire industry, including 40% wage increases since IPs first formed a union with SEIU.
Caregivers covered by our union contracts benefit from higher standards, including:
- Wage increases based on seniority, with wage "steps" for each 2,000 hours of experience.
Health, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage for all workers who work at least 86 hours/month for a $17/month co-premium share; 95% of all workers are enrolled in a health care plan with no annual deductible.
- Paid time off of one hour for every forty hours worked.
- Fully-paid workers compensation insurance to pay your medical bills and wages lost because of work-related illness or injury.
- Full pay for hours spent in training or continuing education.
- Paid time to receive orientation to the union and contract rights, and to ask questions from a co-worker.
- A voice in quality care and a way to improve working conditions year-round through Labor-Management Committees. Breakthroughs made by these committees include "Full Employment Initiatives" - ways for workers to increase work hours and qualify for health care; free flu and other vaccinations.
- Joint education and training initiatives in home care agencies: all SEIU home care agencies are contributing to a workforce development fund, and are pledged to provide quarterly in-service trainings.
- Home care agency contracts provide extra pay for certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant, and some provide extra pay for clients whose care requires additional skills and training.
- All home care agency contracts require overtime for assigned work on a holiday.
- Home care agency contracts recognize the rights of workers to fair treatment with recourse.