Vermont Business Magazine The Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB) and Community Health United/American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have reached their first tentative bargaining agreement as of December 17, 2019. The agreement is subject to ratification by the union’s membership.
In a joint statement issued Thursday, both parties said they were committed to creating a contract that reflected the shared values of providing quality patient care and supporting the health care professionals. The parties reached agreement after a third all-day bargaining session. The parties were assisted by mediator, FMCS Commissioner Annie Rutsky.
“We have united across all eight sites to advocate for equity in our workplace, ensure patient safety through access to appropriate staffing and access to continuing education which will improve the quality of the work environment and positively influence patient care,” says Anna Lisa Reynolds, RN, from CHCB’s Safe Harbor Health Center. “We are so excited that we have come to an agreement on an equitable and fair contract.”
“The contract is now pending ratification by union members, and we believe they will find the terms are beneficial for patients, staff and our communities,” says Angela Comeau, Acting CEO. “We appreciate that this has been a respectful process in which we have been able to discuss matters of mutual importance. This agreement will allow us to further build the employee-management partnership that has been so important throughout the history of CHCB.”
The terms of the agreement are confidential, pending ratification by the union members.
AFT Vermont represents more than 5,000 healthcare and higher education professionals in Vermont at UVM, Castleton University, Vermont Technical College, Northern Vermont University, the Community College of Vermont, UVM Medical Center, Porter Medical Center, Brattleboro Medical Center, and Community Health Centers of Burlington.
Since 1971, the Community Health Centers of Burlington have provided quality health care for Vermonters regardless of financial or insurance status. One of 12 Federally Qualified Health Centers in the state, CHCB has eight locations and is one of the largest nonprofit family health and dental practices in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties.
Source: BURLINGTON, VT - CHCB 12.19.2019. For more information on their services and programs, visit www.chcb.org.