This article is reprinted from the Speak Out Now healthcare newsletter at Kaiser and Highland Hospitals in Oakland, CA.
The SEIU 1021 bargaining team has reached a tentative agreement (TA) with management, and voting takes place this week to ratify the contract.
Looking through the 161 page agreement can be a bit confusing – all three TAs (RN, General Unit, San Leandro Hospital) are combined into one doc in no apparent order, and there is no key describing what the various colors, underlining, or cross-outs mean.
Upon closer inspection, it appears that there are no contractual improvements in staffing. Instead RNs will be offered extra pay for certifications. Overtime pay will be provided for any time worked over regularly worked hours (though not starting until July 2025). Juneteenth will be a paid holiday. Case managers will have set staffing ratios. Some benefits to encourage workers to work more or take on new roles, yes, but not much to address our dangerous understaffing.
Still, if this contract gets approved, it will be up to us to enforce any new language and benefits. So read the TA, vote, and be prepared with your coworkers to remind management what our rights are!
Click here to read the article printed in the 07-16-24 Healthcare Newsletter
