About 40 members of UFCW Local 152 who work at Eagleview Health and Rehabilitation in Pittsgrove, N.J., ratified a new contract on Sept. 10 that increases wages and protects benefits. These workers are employed as certified nursing assistants, and in the dietary, housekeeping and maintenance departments of the facility.
The three-year contract, which was ratified unanimously, guarantees pay increases for the duration of the contract. The contract also includes improved wage scales for all, and a longevity increase and shift differential for certain departments. Affordable health care was also preserved.
In an effort to provide fairness and reward long-term employees, seniority will now be a deciding factor in vacation selection when many employees make the same request on the same day. Finally, new language was established to comply with New Jersey Earned Sick Leave policies. In addition, unused sick time can be “sold back” to the company at the member’s hourly rate.
Members of the negotiating committee included Director of Collective Bargaining Dan Ross; Director of Field Services Peggy Kelly; Union Representative Pete White; and Shop Stewards Latoya Clarke and Christina Allison.