Striking Health Care Workers OK New Labor Pact, Raises

HARTFORD, CT — The health care workers union serving 1,700 group home and day-program caregivers has finally reached a contract settlement with six agencies utilizing them.

According to the New England Health Care Employees Union, SEIU 1199NE, the deal was announced Thursday morning, ending a weeks-long strike over better pay and wages.

That strike, even, brought picketers to the State Capitol as well as Gov. Ned Lamont's Hartford residence as workers sought pay that would help them exit poverty themselves.

ACcording to District 1199, the two-year contract starts July 1 and calls for workers to get a $1.25-an-hour pay raise or more in the first year.

The workers began striking on Wednesday, May 24, at six agencies that provide services for 1,500 individuals with disabilities: Oak Hill, Mosaic, Whole Life, Network, Caring Community and Alternative Services, Inc.

While the pay hike is welcome, union officials said they will continue to push for a $25-an-hour wage in future contracts, something this contract still falls short of.

“We have achieved agreements that we are proud of with the six agencies. In some cases, folks are getting long overdue seniority raises up to 14 percent at some agencies,” said District 1199 President Rob Baril in a statement Thursday morning.

“We know that the struggle to end poverty for long-term caregivers must continue. But the real victory is that our leaders and workers clearly understand that we are leading a movement that will eventually lift all long-term care and essential workers out of poverty.”

District 1199 said recent state budget developments allowed for more funding for the agencies, fueling the push for this deal.

"Connecticut’s state budget included $150 million in additional Medicaid funds for group home and day program providers," wrote 1199 in a statement.

"These funds were added on to the budget bill during SEIU 1199NE’s strike against poverty at the State Capitol. The biennial budget also included $50 million in bonding to repair and improve facilities at group home and day program agencies."

Lamont Thursday congratulated both parties for reaching a deal.

“I applaud the workforce and their private provider employers for working together to reach agreements on wages and benefits. These workers provide care to some of the most vulnerable in our state, and we appreciate the services they provide," Lamont said in a statement.

"With the assistance of funding provided by the recently enacted bipartisan budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, these labor agreements will support wage increases that will help with recruitment and retention of essential staff.”

For Gov. Ned Lamont's full statement on the new contract, click on this link.

From May 26: 'Unionized Health Care Workers Protest At Lamont's Hartford House'