Caregivers at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center have agreed on a two-year contract. Over 300 members of S-E-I-U Local 49 had been without a contract for the past year. Jesse Stemmler is with the Service Employees International Union. He feels the walkout in late October was key:
Stemmler: “Having the three-day strike, and just seeing the overwhelming support was really a big help for these workers. This is a process, and the contract has been settled. This is by no means an end to the important work they’re doing.”
After a long bargaining session Monday, 94 percent of members voted yesterday (Thursday) to accept the terms. McKenzie- Willamette staff will receive a 2.75% raise on December 14th and another raise next December. The contract goes through July, 2016.