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Workers at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson have reached a tentative agreement with the hospital, potentially avoiding a strike. According to a report from CBS6 Albany, the agreement includes a significant wage increase of over 22 percent across four years and establishes a new minimum wage of $18 per hour for union members. The deal also ensures that the hospital will cover a greater percentage of health insurance contributions, while pension contributions remain unchanged.
The tentative agreement follows over a year of challenging negotiations between the hospital and the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East union, which represents more than 750 workers. Union members are expected to vote on the ratification of the contract early next week.
Brianna O’Leary, a CT imaging technologist at Columbia Memorial Hospital, expressed cautious optimism, stating, "We’re settling now, but we are fully aware that this is a fight that will go on, and we’ll continue it for our families and our patients."
The negotiations come amidst broader discussions about workplace conditions following acquisitions by Optum and Summit Health in the Hudson Valley. During a recent virtual town hall, union members voiced concerns about high deductibles, low cost-of-living pay increases, and long wait times for care, as reported by Healthcare Brew.