Healthcare workers in 19 HCA Healthcare hospitals in Florida have approved a new contract that includes across-the-board raises and other benefits, according to the union that represents them.
The three-year agreement covers about 10,000 workers represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
After not receiving a wage increase since 2019 because of the length of the negotiations, workers will receive a minimum total pay increase of 7.5 percent over the life of the agreement, HCA told Becker's.
The comany said the agreement also includes revised student loan assistance, paid family leave and tuition reimbursement benefits that were made available to non-union employees starting in 2018 and 2019.
The agreement comes after negotiations that lasted more than a year.
"Our union members are committed to providing the highest quality care for their patients, and they have been true healthcare heroes during the ongoing pandemic," Dale Ewart, executive vice president of 1199SEIU in Florida, said in a May 4 news release. "In addition to delivering raises to workers, this new agreement will benefit those under their care. Better wages and workplace conditions will retain experienced and talented caregivers, especially during this extended emergency when burnout and turnover can otherwise stress staffing and care levels."
HCA also praised the labor deal.
The company said: "We are pleased that after a year of good faith negotiations, we have reached a comprehensive contract agreement. The focus for HCA Healthcare's affiliated hospitals throughout the pandemic has been on our people and our patients. Our goals were to best ensure the protection and support of our thousands of colleagues across the state and work diligently in our communities to continue access to critical care services throughout every phase of this evolving global crisis."
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA is a major for-profit hospital operator. 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East represents more than 25,000 active and retired nurses, certified nursing assistants and other staff in hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities in Florida.