AFSCME 4 year contract approved for 986 workers at Altoona Regional Health System

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.altoonamirror.com/Business/articles.asp?articleID=12126

AFSCME contract approved

From Mirror staff reports

The 986 practical nurses, technicians and service workers at Altoona Regional Health System have approved a four-year contract, said Sue Croft, president under the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union.

It gives the workers a 13 percent increase during the life of the deal, which starts after the contract ends June 30.

The workers will pay less for health coverage under Highmark and be able to seek care in a broader network, not restricted to Altoona Regional, Croft said.

Instead of both sides making proposals and working toward a compromise, they worked together from the beginning to craft a single joint proposal, she said.

They received training from the federal mediation service before beginning, she said.

The hospital’s 900 registered nurses will vote today on whether to organize under the Service Employees International Union.