Unit 7 state-employed RNs and Health Professionals ratify contract extension

The State chapter of Health Care Professionals, Unit 7 of the Massachusetts Nurses Association ratified a one-year contract extension with the commonwealth of Massachusetts on December 21, 2007. The contract extension:

• Provides a 3.3 per cent general wage increase for all bargaining unit members;
• Provides a $1 per week per full time equivalent increase to the Health & Welfare Trust Fund;
• Adds the title of Psychological Assistant to the recognition clause; and
• Extends all other terms of the contract through December 31, 2008.

This extension provides a wage increase to all members and provides the opportunity to negotiate for a new contact prior to expiration of the current contract.

The Unit 7 contract was set to expire as of Dec 31, 2007. MNA approached the state in September of 2007 to negotiate an extension after learning that other unions had received extensions. The new agreement was reached after just three sessions.

Unit 7 of MNA consists of more than 1,800 state-employed health professionals. They include registered nurses, physicians, pharmacists, psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, dentists, speech and hearing therapists and podiatrists. They work in state-run soldiers' homes for disabled veterans; state hospitals for the mentally ill; and residential facilities for developmentally disabled adults. They also work at centers for HIV and drug-affected mothers and children; group homes for those who cannot live independently; and high-security wards for violent adolescents or suicidal/homicidal residents, mentally ill prisoners, and clients sent for pretrial evaluations.

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