HPAE Nursing Home Workers Ratify New Contracts with improved standards of care and working conditions

HPAE members at Local 5107 Phoenix Center for Rehabilitation & Pediatrics and Local 5097 at Complete Care Harborage have overwhelmingly voted to ratify new collective bargaining agreements with fair and competitive wage increases, Safe Staffing standards, and improved benefits.

HPAE President Debbie White, RN, praised the members for their determination to improve staffing and win measures that will help their facilities recruit and retain staff. “These workers stood together to demand safe staffing because we know it will improve the quality of care for the residents of these long-term care facilities,” White said. “Because of the strength of the member engagement, residents and their loved ones will see improvements in care, while the owners of the facility will benefit from a lower turnover of staff.”

At Phoenix House, located in Passaic County, HPAE Local 5107 members will receive some of the largest raises in the history of this local. The average increase will be between 3-16% in the first year and 3% in each of the remaining two years of the contract. In addition, the nursing staff now have enforceable Safe Staffing standards with minimum staffing numbers set on each floor, and new procedures and financial incentives to help with filling vacancies.

HPAE Local 5107, represents the Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) at The Phoenix Center for Rehabilitation and Pediatric, a long-term care facility offering short-term rehabilitation and long-term pediatric and adult care in Passaic County.

In Bergen County, HPAE Local 5097 represents Certified Nursing Assistants, Housekeepers, Dietary Staff, RNs, LPNs and Maintenance staff at the Harborage, which is owned and operated by Complete Care.

Local 5097 represents Nurses, Service and Maintenance workers’ who stood united to win across-the-board wage increases. Additionally, this contract will ensure the facility will not only follow federal and state staffing laws but also make reasonable efforts to maintain safe and efficient staffing levels.

For more information, contact Michael O. Allen at (646) 436-7556; [email protected]