An acrimonious labor situation at San Francisco’s Jewish Home was resolved when workers ratified a new contract Saturday, Feb. 19.
The new contract — which preserved the 360 caregivers’ benefits but ensured raises at a slower pace than they had sought — put an end to a tumultuous give-and-take that saw a one-day walkout in November and a planned five-day Christmastime strike called off at the last minute at the behest of Sen. Barbara Boxer.
“We’re very pleased that we have a ratified agreement that, by and large, has begun to address the Home’s real economic issues,” said Daniel Ruth, the Jewish Home’s CEO.
“The employees agreed to wage increases on a lesser rate in exchange for the status quo on health insurance.”
Ruth said some “restructuring” was necessary in order to pay out the agreed-upon 5 percent wage increases over the next three years. He did not give specifics.
Sal Rosselli, the president of the SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West, expressed gratitude for Boxer and her staff, whom he credits for getting the two sides together.
But he described himself as “upset” with Ruth and Home management, even though the workers’ health benefits will continue to be paid by the Home. He characterized the negotiations as “a defensive battle,” which the union managed to win.
“The workers had to go on strike and the patients were dramatically inconvenienced. The care that day of the strike was terrible. It was terrible,” he said.
“It takes two to tango, and, as we have said since last year, we are saying we want to work with this company to accomplish our common goals. It’s my hope management learned a lesson from this and will try to work collaboratively with us in Sacramento and D.C. to maximize financial support for the Jewish Home.”
Ruth characterized the difficult negotiations as “a reflection of the economic times we live in, and, in particular, the [financial condition] the Jewish Home is in.”