LANCASTER – Antelope Valley Hospital has reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), hospital officials announced Tuesday. The agreement concludes three months of negotiations between the hospital and the union.
“The new agreement achieves an honest balance by fairly compensating SEIU employees for their dedication and wonderful service to AVH while at the same time recognizing the financial realities and challenges of running a district hospital,” stated Mike Sarrao, AVH’s chief labor negotiator. “We appreciate the professionalism and diligence demonstrated by the SEIU and
its bargaining team throughout the entire process.”
The union – which includes such roles as dietary personnel, ultrasound and radiology technicians, licensed vocational nurses, and administrative support – represents more than 1,100 of the hospital’s 2,500 employees.
Union members are expected to vote on the contract within the next week, after which it will be presented to the Antelope Valley Healthcare District board of directors for ratification.
If approved it will be effective as of the ratification date.
Throughout negotiations, both parties reviewed and came to agreement on such points as salaries, health benefits, pension plan and paid leave.
“The cooperative tone of our discussions underscored our focus on providing exceptional patient care and quality, mutual respect for each other, and commitment to maintaining positive working relationships because in the end we’re all part of the same AVH family,” Sarrao stated.
[Information via news release from Antelope Valley Hospital.]
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Reggie vegi says
Your article quotes Sarrao from AV hospital numerous times but no quotes from the union or employees. Sarrao paints a euphemistic picture that isn’t the reality. Wage increases are far offset of increased insurance out of pocket expense. They’ve already cut sick days almost in half…no negotiation involved there. This is a sinking ship that is being abandoned at an alarming rate.
Michael Rives says
I hope two concerns of the employees were addressed: staffing and rising medical healthcare insurance costs. Employees are being hired and leaving the hospital. Costs for health insurance is becoming prohibitive for employees with families. I look forward to seeing how Alecto and SEIU have addressed these concerns. If we want good employees at AV Hospital, we are going to have pay decent wages and provide affordable benefits.
Shane Falco says
Insurance costs are rising? Health insurance is prohibitive? Impossible. Obamacare fixed all that, if you liked your plan, you kept it, premiums are going lower each year and it’s more affordable than ever!
Jason Zink says
If the Union and Hospital Board and other local Representatives went down to the County Board of Supervisors meeting and lobbied for are Fair SHARE of Trauma property tax funds. We now receive less than ten cents on the dollar (AV pays $12 Million into the tax district and only receives $1 Million back from LA County) these employees would get more money and We would get a New State of Art Bigger ER. Plus earthquake retrofitting funds for this old hospital. This has been going on for over ten years ($140 Million in lost revenue) No one fights for AV. We would all Benefit if we All worked together. Very Sad :(