Kindred therapists in Santa Cruz settle first contract
Occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech pathologists have approved their first union contract, one year after joining NUHW. These workers are employed by Kindred, but provide care at Dominican Hospital’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Center in Santa Cruz. NUHW also represents more than 100 workers employed by Dominican.
The three-year contract includes 3 percent annual wage increases for full- and part-time workers, maintains healthcare benefits, and establishes channels for labor and management to find solutions to workers’ concerns. It also includes language that will enable per diem employees who work full-time for more than 13 consecutive pay periods to be reclassified as full-time if they request.
“Serving the people of Santa Cruz County is my calling,” said Elisabeth Brown, a physical therapist. “For myself and my coworkers alike, our number one priority is to be able to stay and work in this community that we love. We have achieved a more sustainable living as well as improved working conditions with this contract. This empowers us to continue to provide the care that our patients deserve.”
NUHW members at Kindred Hospitals in Brea and Westminster (Orange County) and San Diego recently ratified one-year contracts, while members are still negotiating a new contract at Kindred Hospital Bay Area.