Friday, May 25, 2001
Some of the key issues addressed in the new three-year agreement include:
WAGES
Old agreement: Workers who are classified as step nine or above received an annual lump sum payment equal to 2.5 percent of their salary for the previous year. They did not receive an annual raise like the employees in steps one through eight. Step classifications are based on years of service and performance.
New agreement: Workers who are classified as step nine or above will receive a 30-cent-per-hour raise this year and a 25-cent-per-hour raise in 2002 and 2003. Workers in steps one through eight will automatically move up a step in the classification system each year for the next three years. As a result, the workers will receive a 30-cent-per-hour raise this year, as well as a raise of between 30 cents per hour and 45 cents per hour in 2002 and 2003.
Workers will make between $6.19 per hour and $20.80 per hour, depending on their job and length of service.
HEALTH CARE
Old agreement: Workers contribute to a health-care plan based on their years of experience at the hospital. The contribution levels did not increase during the term of the agreement.
New agreement: The contributions cannot increase more than 10 percent each year during the three years that the contract is in effect.
MANDATORY OVERTIME
Old agreement: Hospital policy stated that an employee could be required to work overtime once in a pay period.
New agreement: Workers can be required to work overtime twice in a pay period.
Source: Teamsters officials