SMDC union rejects contract offer, authorizes strike notice
Members of United Steelworkers Local 9460, which represents more workers at SMDC Health System than any other union, voted Thursday to reject the medical provider’s “last, best and final contract offer,” possibly setting the stage for a strike.By: Peter Passi, Associated Press
Members of United Steelworkers Local 9460, which represents more workers at SMDC Health System than any other union, voted Thursday to reject the medical provider’s “last, best and final contract offer,” possibly setting the stage for a strike.
The union represents about 1,400 workers at SMDC. Its diverse membership includes licensed practical nurses and housekeepers alike. In all, it represents health support workers in 125 different classifications.
SMDC proposed to freeze wages for Local 9460 this fiscal year and outsource 21 jobs in the release of medical information office. This is the second time Local 9460 has turned down the proposal, which also was unsuccessfully taken to a vote in late November.
Diane Davidson, SMDC’s vice president of human resources, said the Steelworkers’ bargaining committee had unanimously endorsed the proposed contract, which members, in turn, rejected. She said anticipated cuts in state and federal funding have forced SMDC to take a conservative approach to pay.
The primary bones of contention for workers were the wage freeze and the loss of jobs, according to a news release from Local 9460, which also said: “Members were incensed that SMDC paid appreciation bonuses to hundreds of non-contract and management employees and required no concessions. Our members, however, were asked to give wage concessions in lieu of any appreciation bonus.”
Kevin Nendick, president of Local 9460, could not be reached for comment Thursday night.
Under the three-year proposal, workers would have received no raises in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. But the union and employer would have returned to the negotiation table to hammer out pay in the second and third years of the contract.
In turning down the contract, workers also voted to authorize union leadership to take additional actions, up to and including giving SMDC 10 days’ notice of a strike.
“We’re disappointed in the outcome,” said Davidson, expressing hope that continued mediation may still produce an agreement. “We feel that’s in the best interests of patients.”
A news release from Local 9460 said its negotiating committee will meet next week to determine the next step.
While Davidson remains hopeful a strike can be averted, she said SMDC has made contingency plans nevertheless. “It’s the responsible thing to do to ensure continuation of care for our patients.”
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