180 nursing home workers at Grand Manor in St. Louis ratified a three-year contract last week after 8 months of negotiations. The bargaining team stood united and mobilized coworkers to sign petitions, march on the boss, and engage community members and workers at sister facility Northview  Village, which is under the same ownership as Grand Manor.

Management kicked off bargaining by attempting to drastically increase the cost of insurance for employees, all while pushing for stagnant wages. Workers weren’t going to stand for it and kept the pressure on to ensure front-line employees were recognized for their hard work and dedication to the facility and patients.

The new contract includes some of the following highlights:

• $250 sign on bonus for full-time employees $125 sign on bonus for part-time employees
•  3 year contract with an across the board increase of $.45 upon ratification, $.40 on the 2^nd year anniversary of ratification, and $.40 on the 3^rd year anniversary.
• The employer will cover all but $10 per month of health insurance. Thereafter increased cost will be shared between the employer and employee evenly but the cost will not go up above more than $25 a month.
• PTO days can now be rolled over.
• Increased Just Cause rights.
• Redefined part-time workers as those who work below 30 hours per week.

“I feel really good about bringing my coworkers out and getting them involved in our union,” said Denice Givens, a Grand Manor employee and member of the bargaining team. “Together we took a stand and demanded that we get recognition for our hard work over the years at Grand Manor.”

Congratulations to Grand Manor employees!