[caption id="attachment_4214" align="alignleft" width="225"]Encino bargaining team members (L to R: Homer Marmol, RN, Med/Surg; Nene Ruelo, RN, ICU; Matt Montoya, RN, ER)[/caption]

On November 17, RNs at Encino Hospital Medical Center voted overwhelmingly by 97% to ratify a new contract that protects benefits, wages, and working conditions after three long years of negotiations.

After much struggle and working together in unity, members of Encino were able to convince the Hospital's owner that it was better to work together than against each other. With this new contract, our members have secured better wages, benefits, and working conditions and look forward to being able to focus on patient care without having to worry about their futures.

The new agreement includes:

• A four-year contract with wage increases of 3.5%, 3%, 3%, and 3%, respectively
• 18-months retroactive pay
• Free Prime EPO health insurance for employees and dependents
• PPO health insurance at the same rates as in 2011

We remained supportive of each other in our Union and it paid off. We look forward to working with Encino in maintaining our standards and improving patient care. –Nene Ruelo, RN, ICU

Also, a recent decision on an unfair labor practice charge that was filed against Encino on behalf of our members will provide over $300,000 in back pay to RNs who were not given step increases in accordance with their Union contract.

This contract is a great victory that includes wage increases and benefit protections that are above standards in the healthcare industry. Congratulations!