For Immediate Release: 7 October 2021
Contact: Keith Brunner, 802-363-9615, keith.brunner@aftvermont.org
UVM Medical Center imaging technologists ratify agreement
Burlington -- Imaging technologists at UVM Medical Center today announced that after months of organizing and bargaining, they ratified a negotiated agreement enabling them to be covered under the existing Technical Professional contract, with additional protections and improvements specific to their work.
In March, technologists voted overwhelmingly to join the other 2,400 UVM Medical Center nurses and technicians who are members of Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals - AFT Vermont, the largest and fastest growing health care union in the state.
Imaging technologists organized for and won significant gains, including wage increases, Unit Staffing Collaboratives to address proper staffing, and protection of orienting technologists from taking full patient assignments prior to completion of their training.
“This is just the beginning of the inclusion of the Imaging Technologists’ voices in our workplace,” said Michael Bernier, an MRI technologist and co-lead negotiator. “We made great wins through our side letter negotiations that will have real impacts on the dedicated staff and the patient care we provide.”
“A big win for me means a big win for my whole Radiology Family, we started this journey united and this win shows we ended it this way! We are now recognized for the hard work we put in our jobs, for our patients, and for this community,” said sonographer Stephanie Griffin.
“The employees at UVMMC have had a long 18 months of Covid and the cyber attack,” said John Little, a radiology research coordinator. “This contract negotiation has really been a bright spot on the future of our department. Moving forward, the workers in our respected areas finally have a real voice and seat at the table. We’ve come a long way to get to this point, it’s a great start to be able to have our first negotiation go so well. It’s really been amazing to watch so many of us come together through this process. I know that it put in perspective how much knowledge our employees have, and letting us be a part of fixing staffing issues is paramount.”
"The Imaging Technologists at UVMMC organized and won significant increases in wages and better working conditions--all of which leads to better patient care. Technologists held the Administration to doing the right thing: taking real action on recruiting and retaining staff." said Deb Snell, MICU RN and President of both VFNHP and AFT-Vermont.
AFT Vermont represents 6000 health care and higher education professionals at the University of Vermont, the Vermont State Colleges, UVM Medical Center, Porter Medical Center, Community Health Centers of Burlington, Planned Parenthood of NNE and Brattleboro Medical Center. www.vt.aft.org
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