UW hospital, SEIU approve contract

University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics and the membership of SEIU District 1199 Wisconsin, which represents approximately 1,400 health care professionals, including registered nurses, therapists and dietitians at the hospital and clinics, have both approved a new, four-year contract.

Registered nurses at the hospital will receive 6.5 percent across-the-board increases, plus wage scale increases and seniority bonuses, adding up to an average of roughly 10 percent increases in wages in both the first and second years of the contract. The contract calls for a “re-opener” in two years to bargain wages and differentials for the third and fourth years of the contract.

The contract also includes a ban on the use of mandatory overtime, which will take effect in 18 months.

After much discussion and revisions of proposals, the union and hospital also reached agreement that these represented employees will begin paying a portion of their health insurance premiums for family coverage in July 2006. Single coverage is currently paid for by the hospital for all employees, and that benefit will continue for SEIU employees as well.

Physical therapists will receive a 5 percent across-the-board increase and wage scale increases and seniority bonuses. These add up to a 7.2 percent average wage boost in the first contract year and a 7.8 percent average increase in the second.

Occupational therapists will receive 3 and 4 percent across-the-board increases, wage scale increases and seniority bonuses. These add up to a 6.1 percent average increase for the first year and a 7.1 percent average increase in the second year.

Among many other provisions, the contract calls for:

• Seniority bonuses for employees with more than 25 years of service
• A better process for scheduling employees
• Specific frameworks for bringing management and labor together to address staffing issues, the introduction of new technology and equipment, and the development of a clinical-advancement system for occupational and physical therapists.
• A wage structure that better recognizes and rewards professional experience.

Wages will be retroactive to June 27.