Daughters of Charity Health System and Union Members Reach Agreement Collective Bargaining Agreement Protects Both DCHS and SEIU-UHW

Daughters of Charity Health System and Union Members Reach Agreement
Collective Bargaining Agreement Protects Both DCHS and SEIU-UHW

LOS ANGELES—May 1, 2012. The Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS) and Service Employees International Union–United Healthcare Workers (SEIU-UHW) today reached agreement on a new three-year contract covering nearly 2,600 employees in six DCHS hospitals in California: O’Connor Hospital, San Jose; Saint Louise Regional Hospital, Gilroy; Seton Coastside, Moss Beach; Seton Medical Center, Daly City; St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood; and St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles.

The collective bargaining agreement, which was set to expire on April 30, 2012, was overwhelmingly voted in by the SEIU-UHW membership during a ratification vote on Monday, April 30, 2012. The agreement comes after several months of intensive negotiations and achieves the goal – set by both sides – to develop a fair and reasonable contract.

According to Stephanie Battles, DCHS vice president of human resources, the goals of DCHS were to protect its financial health, ensure its operations remain safe and efficient, and preserve employees’ benefits and pensions for many years into the future.

“We want to acknowledge the bargaining teams for their good-faith efforts during our contract discussions,” said Battles. “We also wish to thank all of our associates for their ongoing and valuable contribution in service to our patients and the communities we serve.”

The confidential settlement provides fair wages and benefits for healthcare employees and at the same time moves employees to more modern, streamlined pension and medical benefit plans, explained Marta M. Fernandez of Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP, the chief labor negotiator for DCHS.

"At a time of significant uncertainty in the healthcare community, this collective bargaining agreement is an important achievement for both sides," said Fernandez. "I commend SEIU-UHW for joining DCHS in this important step forward."

About Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP
JMBM is a full service law firm committed to providing clients with results. JMBM’s Labor & Employment Department represents employers in management/union relations, state and federal employment litigation, wage and hour issues, National Labor Relations Board practice, discrimination claims and administrative proceedings, and provides counseling in all labor and employment areas. From its offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Orange County, JMBM serves its clients needs worldwide. For more information, visit JMBM.com.

About Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS)
Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS) is a regional health system spanning the California coast from the San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles. DCHS hospitals include Seton Medical Center, Daly City; Seton Coastside, Moss Beach; O’Connor Hospital, San Jose; Saint Louise Regional Hospital, Gilroy; St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood; and St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles. DCHS was formed in response to the health care needs of the people of California. Every day, more than 7,000 associates and physicians serve patients and their loved ones, providing quality, compassionate care – body, mind and spirit. For more information about DCHS, please visit www.dochs.org.