Public Employee Press

Sodexo workers' contract hikes pay

DC 37 laundry workers employed by a Health and Hospitals Corp. contractor recently approved their first contract, which will boost their wages by 8.53 percent over three years.

The union organized the nearly 80 workers employed by Sodexo Health Care last year after HHC contracted out its own laundry service. The Local 154 members overwhelmingly approved the contract on Jan. 23.

"The contract is a good package," Local 154 President Juan Fernandez said. "The percentage increases are above what's happening in the industry, and the contract will improve the working conditions of our members at HHC.

The agreement provides a 3 percent raise in the first year, 2.5 percent in the second year and 2.75 percent in the third year. Hourly pay will increase from $15.45 to $16.48 over the duration of the contract from Dec. 18, 2012, to Dec. 18, 2015.

"Personally, I like the contract," said Darryl Woods, who works at Bellevue Hospital and chairs the local's laundry chapter. Woods and coworker Ian Davis served on the bargaining committee.

Woods said his coworkers would have liked a higher wage increase, but he was satisfied with the raise. He called the new grievance procedure an important gain. The grievance process has already helped the union save the job of a member who was brought up on charges for blocking a laundry chute, Woods said.

The new contract includes a transportation allowance and a layoff provision and allows workers to cash in half of their sick leave accrual at the end of the year. In addition, it provided a $100 bonus for full-time workers upon ratification and $50 for part-timers. The workers already had a 401(k) plan and health-care coverage.

In addition to Fernandez, Woods and Davis, the negotiating team included Assistant Director Mark Heron of the Research and Negotiations Dept., Assistant General Counsel Deena Mikhail, Rep Marianela Santana and Eddie Gates, an assistant director of the Professional Division, who has retired.