UW Hospital, WSEU reach tentative settlement

UW Hospital and Clinics and Local 1942 and Council 24 of the Wisconsin State Employees Union (WSEU) have reached tentative agreement on a new contract.

The proposed new contract is for four years and six months, with a limited re-opener in year three to address market issues and differentials.

The 2,400 WSEU members employed at the hospital include workers in environmental and food services, supply clerks, administrative employees such as admissions and billing assistants, clinic assistants and medical transcriptionists, and technical staff, including radiology and surgical technicians, nursing and occupational therapy assistants, and dosimetrists.

Hospital workers represented by WSEU will receive 4 percent across-the-board increases in each of the first two years; 4.2 percent in year three; and 4.75 percent for the final 18 months of the contract. Workers also will receive seniority-based retention adjustments in years one and three. In addition, workers in selected job titles and pay grades will receive additional wage adjustments. The hospital also will begin a certification bonus plan through which employees with certain designated national certifications will receive a bonus of $300 per year.

The hospital’s governing board and the membership of Local 1942 and Council 24 still must vote to ratify the contract. Once approved by both parties, many of the contract’s wage provisions will be instituted retroactive to June 27, 2004.