Butler Employees-
As many of you are aware, Butler’s negotiations with SEIU 1199 NE have continued this week with assistance from a mediator at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). The hospital has continued to bargain in good faith, with the continued goal of reaching an agreement that acknowledges the important work of our dedicated team members while ensuring the hospital’s financial stability in a political and economic environment that will make things very difficult over the coming years.
Now, after nearly 2 months of negotiations and an impending work stoppage on May 15th, time is perilously short for reaching an agreement. Butler has an obligation to stay open and provide the community with vital behavioral health services. We serve it best with our own talented employees, but if those employees walk off the job, we will be forced to forge ahead with replacement workers. I don’t want to do that – I would rather spend that money on Butler employees than pay it to an outside firm.
Butler has been my professional home for 40 years. I have a remarkably strong bond with both this hospital and our wonderful employees. I’m fortunate to have many deep friendships on both sides of the table. I assure you the Hospital’s negotiating team has done everything possible to put forth a fair agreement that includes some of our most generous increases in years.
I want to be certain that everyone is aware that today we have put forward our last, best, and final offer to the SEIU 1199 NE bargaining team. This offer will be available until we’re required to make a substantial initial payment to the temporary staffing firm. If an agreement is not reached by Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 10AM, we will have no choice but to make the payment. This is money that allows us to fund the offers on the table right now, meaning if there is no deal and that payment is made tomorrow, that money comes out of the Hospital’s proposals.
The four-year contract proposal that is currently on the table protects both the interests of employees and the future of the hospital. Our proposals include the largest wage increases in over 10 years, a dedicated workplace violence task force to supplement the work of the Health and Safety Committee, and continuing the pension plan for all current employees.
A strike benefits no one – not you, not your co-workers, not the hospital, and most importantly not our patients. Our final offer is now on the table – it’s time to make a deal.
Respectfully,
Mary
