The League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes, an employer group representing 109 hospitals, nursing homes and other clinics in the New York City area, has reached a tentative labor agreement with 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
The agreement, which still needs to be ratified by the League and the union, averts the union's planned July 31 strike.
The four-year agreement would raise employee wages 13 percent over the length of the contract, and it preserves all existing worker benefits. The groups also agreed to a set of principles for new hiring at ambulatory care sites, a sticking point during negotiations.
"We are pleased to have reached an agreement that preserves benefits and increases wages for our great workforce, while supporting the health and sustainability of New York's nonprofit hospitals, health system and nursing homes," Bruce McIver, president of the League, said in a news release.
George Gresham, president of 1199SEIU, thanked the League for a respectful and productive dialogue and said he looks forward to refocusing "on our shared mission of providing the highest quality of care to our patients, and partnering to advocate for quality healthcare on the state and federal levels."
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