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Memorial, SEIU reach agreement

Health care workers at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center ratified three-year collective bargaining agreements covering 740 employees represented by 1199 SEIU.

New contracts were ratified Sept. 2 by members of three bargaining units: registered nurses; licensed practical nurses and technical workers; and service and maintenance employees. The pacts contain increases in wages and employer contributions to health, dental and vision coverage. They also include enhanced pension fund benefits and access to a training and education fund that will enable members to upgrade skills and certifications.

The new agreements take effect immediately and will expire April 20, 2008.

“These collective bargaining agreements recognize our loyal employees for their hard work and dedication while positioning Memorial for sustained, long-term growth,” said Joseph A. Ruffolo, Memorial’s president and CEO. “Local 1199 SEIU and its members are valued members of the Memorial team and we’re extremely pleased to have successfully completed these collaborative negotiations with them.”

George Kennedy, Area Director and Vice President for 1199 SEIU said, “These are difficult financial times for health care facilities. Our work with management has produced a contract that is good for the workers, the community and the hospital.”

1199 SEIU, United Health Care Worker’s East is the state’s largest organization of health care workers with more than 260,000 members. Locally, 1199 SEIU members work at Kaleida Health Systems, Mount St. Mary’s Hospital, Lockport Memorial Hospital and Inter-Community Memorial Hospital in Newfane as well as numerous other health care facilities throughout Western New York.