RAMS workers settle contract
NUHW-represented workers Richmond Area Multi-Services, Inc. voted overwhelmingly this month to ratify a contract that improves pay and benefits and makes them the first NUHW members to win Juneteenth as a paid holiday.
The three-year contract includes retroactive annual wage increases of 3 percent for the nearly 100 mental health professionals at the San Francisco nonprofit. The contract also includes new wage scales for every classifications that will result in many workers getting an overall 25 percent wage by the end of the contract.
“It’s been a difficult time for so many of us, but we’ve grown even more united during the pandemic, and we won a contract that will improve our lives and improve the care that our patients receive,” said Belinda Nguyen, an intake coordinator.
The contract also requires RAMS to begin paying 100 percent of dental costs, contribute toward license registration renewal fees and expands bereavement leave. NUHW members in certain classification will also have greater ability to work from home and greater latitude to use their paid time off.