Retreat Healthcare Union and Management Reach Contract Accord

November 5, 2004

Brattleboro, VT - Retreat Healthcare’s United Nurses and Allied Professionals Union (UNAP) voted to ratify a new three-year contract on October 22, 2004, with 95 percent voting in favor.

The contract negotiations occurred in the context of considerable challenges facing the Retreat, as they do all healthcare institutions, particularly within mental healthcare, and required serious compromises from all sides. Among the most notable pressures on the institution are the dramatically-rising cost of providing health insurance to its workforce, and restricted funds for reimbursement for services from federal, state, insurance and private sources.

Within the context of these hard realities, the tenor of the negotiations was mutually respectful and direct. The union leadership was vigorous in its attention to the welfare of its membership, while also concerned with the enduring welfare of the institution as a whole. Management shared these same concerns. Both sides expressed appreciation for the spirit of collaboration and trust demonstrated throughout the process.

Highlights of the contract terms include:

Raises for union members of 8% for RN’s’, 7% for childcare workers, 4% for all others in the first year, 2.5% for all in the second year, and 3.5% for all in the third year.
Increases in employee contribution to health insurance premiums, phased in over 3 years from:
9% to 25% for individuals
18% to 30% for two people and families
Retreat Healthcare will ensure that no individual is negatively impacted overall in year one by compensating any difference that could occur for certain individuals between their raise and the increase in health insurance contribution.

Retreat Healthcare is one of Vermont’s largest employers with 422 employees, 70% of whom are unionized. Founded in 1834, Retreat Healthcare is nationally recognized for its premiere treatment in behavioral healthcare. It is a not-for-profit regional specialty psychiatric hospital and addictions treatment center, offering a wide range of diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services for individuals of all ages.

The United Nurses & Allied Professionals (UNAP) is a regional health care union representing over 4,000 nurses, technologists, therapists, support staff, and other health care workers employed throughout the state of Rhode Island with locals in Vermont and Connecticut.

For more information on UNAP, go to www.unap.org.

For more information about Retreat Healthcare contact: Maria Basescu, 802-258-6161

or email: mbasescu@retreathealthcare.org. Online information at: www.retreathealthcare.org.