In voting completed Tuesday night, members of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota approved the pact that covers more than 1,500 registered nurses, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, lab techs, physicians assistants, nurse midwives and other healthcare workers at 29 metro area HealthPartners clinics.

The union cited the following highlights of the new contract:

- Establishing the first employer-funded training fund for healthcare workers in the Midwest ensuring the retention of experienced caregivers. 
- Taking a step to improved patient care with the establishment of a Patient Care Committee.
- Maintaining fully-employer paid single health insurance and affordable family coverage. 
- Across the board wage increases of 3.5%, 3%, and 3% over the three years of the contract.

"By establishing the first healthcare worker training fund in the Midwest while maintaining affordable health insurance, this contract sets a new standard for all healthcare workers in the Midwest," said Kate Lynch, a Licensed Practical Nurse at HealthPartners Arden Hills Clinic.

"The formation of the Patient Care committee is the first step to making sure our voices are heard in critical patient care and staffing decisions," said Jean Pfarr, a Registered Nurse at HealthPartners Specialty Center in St. Paul & HealthPartners Como Clinic also in St. Paul.

The previous collective bargaining agreement expired Jan. 31. Union negotiators said the members\' decision to call a two-day strike this week helped push management toward a settlement.

The new contract expires Jan. 31, 2011.

For more information
Visit the SEIU Healthcare Minnesota website, www.seiuhealthcaremn.org

Photos from the ratification vote
by Workday editor Barb Kucera

Lab technicians Jeri Schroeder (left) and Clara Boykin review the contract before voting. Schroeder works at the Como Clinic; Boykin works at the Midway Clinic and is a member of the negotiating committee.

Gail Bersie, a dental assistant at the Bloomington Clinic, casts her ballot.

SEIU Healthcare Minnesota President Julie Schnell (left) talks with members who staffed voting tables at the union\'s headquarters in St. Paul.