Proposals Submitted at 11:20 PM
Butler Hospital and SEIU 1199 NE reconvened for contract negotiations, facilitated by federal mediators
The hospital put forward a comprehensive proposal that addresses Butler worker priorities, like:
- Workplace Safety
- Wages
- Benefits
- Retirement
The complete proposal documents can be viewed here.
Workplace Safety
In addition to the Workplace Violence Prevention Task Force the hospital proposed previously, we proposed a Workplace Violence Assistance Plan, that supports employees impacted by workplace violence-related injuries:
- Employees can donate unused accrued sick and vacation time
- Donations help colleagues receiving workers’ compensation who have exhausted their own paid leave following a workplace violence related injury
- Butler will seed the fund with $75,000, and offer a 100% match on employee donations of up to $25,000 in 2026 –a total of $100,000 in Hospital-backed support.
Wages
Across-the-board wage increases:
- Increased Minimum: A new starting wage for all employees up from $17 to at least $18.03 per hour, Mental Health Workers from $18.27 to $20.00, and bumps up all steps and off-scale wages in those positions proportionately.
- Preceptor Differential: increases from $2 per hour to $3 per hour on ratification, and increases again to $4 per hour on 6/1/2028.
Health and Dental Plans
- BlueSolutions HSA Medical Plan: maintain a $0 paycheck premium for the plan with modified HSA contributions:
These changes are in addition to key items put forward in previous proposals, which include:
- A four-year contract that provides the security of predictable wage growth and benefit costs in uncertain economic and political times.
- Lower paycheck deductions for the Network Blue New England medical plan – over 70% less for full-time employees and over 50% less for part-time employees. This plan has a very low deductible and will greatly reduce out-of-pocket costs.
We encourage you to reach out to union delegates and tell them that the time is now to do what is best for Butler employees and patients and put this offer to a vote.
