Teamsters settle
with Queen’s,
St. Francis
The 1,300 members of the Hawaii Teamsters and Allied Workers Local 996 employed at Queen's Medical Center and St. Francis Medical Center have overwhelmingly voted in favor of a new four-year contract with both institutions. Tentative agreements were reached earlier this month.
The new contract covers workers in the housekeeping, dietary, maintenance and various other medical occupations.
"By approving these agreements, our members have protected their health benefits while providing enhanced job security they have worked so hard to secure," said Melvin Kahele, president of Teamsters Local 996.
Highlights of the new contract at Queen's include:A representative from St. Francis said the organization is happy with the new contract.» A four-year term from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2007.
» Retiree medical at age 55 with five years of service. The company will make a contribution to medical premiums at the rate of $8 a month for each year of service.
» Wage increases of 14 percent over the life of the agreement, 3 percent in the first year, then 4 percent, 4 percent and 3 percent in the last year.
» An increased 401(k) match: 100 percent of first 3 percent of pay and 50 percent of next 3 percent of pay.
The St. Francis contract includes:
» A four-year term from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2007.
» Wage increases of 14 percent over the life of the agreement (respectively, 3 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent and 4 percent in the last year).
» Upgrades for licensed practical nurses, hemodialysis technician II, and surgical technician II.
» Shift differential increased to 85 cents per hour.
"We were pleased to work with the Teamsters on this mutually satisfying contract that will benefit both our organization and our employee bargaining unit members," said Patty Martin, senior vice president of human resources for the medical center.
A Queen's representative agreed.
"We are very pleased with the outcome of the negotiations. We feel it was a good settlement," said Wayne McClellan, the hospital's vice president for human resources.
