For Immediate Release: September 27, 2021
Contact: Matt McGrath, 802-373-0133, matt.mcgrath@aftvermont.org
Staff Union at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) ratifies first contract with employer.
Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine - After months of bargaining, staff and management have reached an agreement on a first contract. The agreement has been ratified by the union membership.
The staff union made significant economic progress including raising the minimum wage from $15/hr to $17.50, including $18/min for all existing employees.
Bargaining team member Dana Keyes-Gibbons from Vermont said, “We are thrilled to have reached an agreement that makes significant progress towards our goals of raising the minimum wage, increasing pay equity, and encouraging staff recruitment and retention--though we know we have more work to do to ensure compensation keeps up with the rising cost of living.”
In addition to meaningful economic improvements, the staff union made significant progress on their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) priorities, created a system for progressive discipline with no discipline or discharge without just cause and a grievance procedure to enforce the agreement.
Ella Kruczynska, Bargaining team member from NH said of progress made, “We formed our union in part to help change our organizational culture through prioritizing equity and inclusion, transparency and collaborative decision-making. This process has been a great start in addressing a culture shift.”
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AFT Vermont represents 6000 healthcare 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. Vt.aft.org