The new contracts, which the union said today were ratified recently, cover more than 1,100 workers in the local healthcare industry, including certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, operating room and medical assistants, patient care technicians, telecommunications operators, food service workers, central supply and receiving clerks, storeroom employees, housekeeping personnel, maintenance workers, groundskeepers and others.

According to a press release by the union today:

Employees at St. Francis Community Health Services ratified a new three-year contract on Tuesday for a total wage increase of 9 percent, an increase in shift differentials, and a substantial increase in their annual tuition reimbursement. The company also agreed to pay up to three months of dental and group life insurance premiums in addition to the medical benefits it already provides for employees on leave. St. Francis Community Health Services, which operates hospice facilities in Nu'uanu and West O'ahu, also offers health services for seniors on O'ahu and provides home care for clients on Kaua'i and O'ahu.

Hawai'i Medical Center employees, who ratified their contract on June 25, approved a one-year deal with wage increases of 2 percent effective on July 1 and another 2 percent increase on December 30 of this year.

Employees at Kapi'olani Medical Center ratified their new three-year contract on June 27. The contract provides a $300 signing bonus for employees, a wage package that will give them a 15 percent increase over three years as well as increases in shift differentials, training pay and annual tuition reimbursement. Certain workers also received market rate adjustments to bring their wages up to par with industry standards.