Hundreds Of Mercy Hospital Workers Get 3-Year Deal, 18% Wage Increase

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — Direct patient care workers at Catholic Health Mercy Hospital have approved a new three-year contract.

It's an 18% wage increase over the span of the pact, the union announced.

On top of the 18% hike, several job titles, including those with the lowest rates of pay, will get additional wage increases next year.

"This is the biggest win since we voted to join the union. People said it couldn’t be done, but we did it," said Manny Oxilus, a clinical laboratory associate who has worked at Mercy for 14 years. "This contract has competitive wages and benefits that will help attract new talent and workers–and better staffing means better patient care."

More than 500 staffers working in areas such as dietary, transport, patient care and pharmacy now have the option to use an improved Catholic Health Select Plan that includes no payment for premiums and no copays for doctor visits.

"The pay increases we fought for and won are substantial. A lot of us have been working overtime or two jobs to survive. I did the calculations, and they are going to make a big difference in my life," explained Dawn Naughton, who has worked as a dietary aide for 15 years at the facility.

Other highlights of the contract include increases to night and evening differentials, a larger uniform allowance and additional pay for designated caregivers who provide training to other staff.

This is the third contract for the Mercy Hospital staff who joined 1199SEIU in 2017 and brings their compensation and benefits closer to that of other 1199SEIU members in the greater New York area, the union said.