(Corvallis/Albany, July 31, 2009) Members of SEIU Healthcare Local 49 at Samaritan Albany General Hospital and Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center approved fair contracts late last week that recognize the hard work of hospital staff while acknowledging difficult financial times.

SEIU health care members at the two hospitals voted overwhelmingly to ratify the new contracts, with 93% support at Albany General and 99% support at Good Sam –  a 96% overall vote.

The two hospital contracts cover more than 550 employees – approximately 150 employees at Albany General and 350 employees at Good Sam, including Certified Nursing Assistants, lab techs, housekeepers and others. The contract is in effect until January 2012.

Highlights from the new contract include:
•    Wage rates that help attract and retain quality caregivers: Employees are foregoing general wage increases for six months to help the hospitals through the current financial situation, then they will receive 2% across-the-board raises in each of the following two years.
•    Health care benefits: Additions to the ground-breaking Samaritan Health and Wellness Pilot Project developed to promote employee wellness and lower medical costs. The bargaining teams have also agreed to collaborate to increase participation of SEIU members in the Health and Wellness Project.

“This contract reflects the hard work we do every day providing high quality care and support for our patients and their families,” said bargaining team member Casie Wells, who works in Nutrition Services at Samaritan Albany General Hospital.

“We are extremely pleased to reach this agreement with the SEIU membership,” said David Triebes, CEO of Samaritan Albany General Hospital.  “SEIU employees play an important role in our number one goal – providing excellent patient care -- and we are committed to offering competitive wages to all of our employees and to provide a supportive workplace.”

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