Friday, November 12, 2010
Hospital And Union Reach Agreement
WEST VIRGINIA...
Cabell Huntington Hospital and Service Employees International Union District 1199 have reached a tentative agreement, according to union and hospital representatives.
The agreement was reached about 6 a.m. Friday after negotiations resumed Thursday. Union workers started voting on the contract immediately. Voting will continue at the Ramada Limited hotel until 7:30 p.m. Friday.
A 10-day strike notice had SEIU members set to walk off the job Monday, Nov. 15.
Union spokesperson Anthony Caldwell did not release any details of the agreement. He said SEIU will stay in contact with its members throughout Friday and provide further comment to the press after 7:30 p.m.
“We’ll count the votes, see if it’s an up or down vote,” he said. “If it’s a down vote they strike. If it’s a up vote then the contract is ratified.”
Hospital spokesman Charles Shumaker released the following statement from the hospital:
"Cabell Huntington Hospital is pleased that a tentative agreement has been reached on a contract proposal with SEIU 1199, the union that represents nearly 800 workers at our hospital. A ratification vote is taking place today."
Both sides have said that negotiations are focused on health care costs, wages and pension benefits.
The union represents 800 of the hospital's 2,300 employees.
The agreement was reached about 6 a.m. Friday after negotiations resumed Thursday. Union workers started voting on the contract immediately. Voting will continue at the Ramada Limited hotel until 7:30 p.m. Friday.
A 10-day strike notice had SEIU members set to walk off the job Monday, Nov. 15.
Union spokesperson Anthony Caldwell did not release any details of the agreement. He said SEIU will stay in contact with its members throughout Friday and provide further comment to the press after 7:30 p.m.
“We’ll count the votes, see if it’s an up or down vote,” he said. “If it’s a down vote they strike. If it’s a up vote then the contract is ratified.”
Hospital spokesman Charles Shumaker released the following statement from the hospital:
"Cabell Huntington Hospital is pleased that a tentative agreement has been reached on a contract proposal with SEIU 1199, the union that represents nearly 800 workers at our hospital. A ratification vote is taking place today."
Both sides have said that negotiations are focused on health care costs, wages and pension benefits.
The union represents 800 of the hospital's 2,300 employees.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 10:18 AM 
