After 5 Years, Antelope Valley Hospital Signs Union Contract

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.sfvbj.com/industry_article_pay.asp?aID=06661232.496973.1527760.7155441.1139689.193&aID2=117511


After 5 Years, Antelope Valley Hospital Signs Union Contract

Providence Also Comes to Terms, Tenet Still Negotiating

By Nadra Kareem
San Fernando Valley Business Journal Staff

Two area hospitals—Antelope Valley Hospital and Providence St. Joseph Medical Center—have reached agreements with Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers-West.

For Antelope Valley Hospital, settling on a contract marks the end of a five-year struggle.

“It took a long time. We are very, very happy that finally we finished everything,” CEO Edward Mirzabegian said. “We can get together and forget our differences and be on one team and make this place a better place for our patients and all the employees.”

The contract, reached Aug. 23, includes pay increases of 4.75 percent, retroactive to July 2006; 5.4 percent retroactive to July 2007; and 3.25 percent, effective in January.

According to the hospital, both parties agreed to reopen the contract exclusively for wage negotiations for the third year of the agreement, which will extend through June 30, 2009.

FULL story at link.