A group representing about 90 New York hospitals and nursing homes has reached a tentative three-year agreement with the state's largest healthcare workers union.
The deal between the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes of New York and 1199 Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers East, taking effect Oct. 1 and running through Sept. 30, 2021, was reached July 13. It covers union members that are part of Mount Sinai Health System, Montefiore Health System and NewYork-Presbyterian, all based in New York City, as well as facilities that are part of New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health.
About 70,000 workers, including nurses, nursing assistants, lab technicians and other professional staff, will receive annual wage increases of 3 percent over the life of the contract, according to a union news release.
Union officials said the agreement maintains current worker benefits, including healthcare coverage, without out-of-pocket costs, and protects the union's pension fund.
The league said it will specifically boost contributions to the national pension fund from 10 percent of workers' salaries to 12.6 percent, according to Crain's New York Business.
"Through this agreement, we have maintained the benefits that help to protect the health and well-being of 1199SEIU families, while securing guaranteed annual raises for the next three years, and protecting our pension fund to ensure that our members are able to retire with dignity," said George Gresham, president of 1199SEIU.
Bruce McIver, president of the league,told Becker's Hospital Review that the agreement takes meaningful steps to put the pension fund on a more sustainable path — ensuring it will be there for future retirees, like it has been for current retirees. This agreement reflects our shared commitment to delivering worldclass healthcare for New Yorkers."
The deal must be ratified by union workers and league members.