First Contract Brings Big Gains to St. Mary's Hospital Workers

CWA reached a tentative first contract covering 540 workers at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada. Workers, members of Local 9413, voted for CWA representation by a 60 percent margin last December.

The four-year agreement includes many improvements, including a first-ever wage scale and wage progression that provides for yearly pay increases and moves workers to top of scale in 12 years. It also provides for job upgrades and wage increases; over the four-year agreement, the average wage increase will be 18.1 percent.

One of members' biggest bargaining goals that this agreement achieved was sick leave. In the past, workers were required to use their vacation time for any illness or medical condition. Other gains included job security provisions, a grievance process, seniority and retiree health care. 

The agreement covers certified nursing assistants, emergency medical technicians, transport workers, kitchen and laundry workers, phlebotomists, and others. The ratification vote will take place next week.