SPRINGFIELD, OH - Employees of Community Mercy Health Partners represented by the Service Employees International Union, District 1199 have ratified their first contract that includes long-awaited changes to working conditions and allows the staff to provide improved quality care by giving workers a voice in employee and patient safety.

"This is an exciting day for the Union members of CMHP because for the first time they feel they have a real voice at work," said Frank Hornick, Director of the Ohio Healthcare Division of SEIU District 1199. "We are always open to unorganized workers who want to choose respect and fairness over favoritism and contempt."

While Community Mercy Health Partners would mischaracterize the victory of the workers as providing no additional rights or privileges, employees adamantly disagree.

"The employees represented by SEIU District 1199 will finally have dignity, rights and respect on the job. Workers will have a voice in their healthcare, an impartial process to deal with disputes and an end to favoritism for wage increases and job bidding," continued Hornick. "These workers have a lot to be proud of in this contract."

This new three-year contract establishes seniority, fair job bidding, an impartial grievance process and consistent rules and policies for all bargaining unit employees. SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH represents nearly 700 workers at Mercy Memorial Hospital, Mercy McAuley Center in Urbana and Springfield Regional Medical Center.