vermont business journal AFT Vermont, a member of the Community Health Center (CHC) and the Community Health Union (CHU), has approved a new union contract. The new agreement builds on existing contracts with professionals and now includes 168 support staff. it will:
- Increase minimum starting wage to $20/hour in August 2023
- Increased paid time off (including 15 days of paid parental leave)
- Increase employee input to improve orientation, health and safety
CHC’s CEO, Jeff McKee, is particularly proud of the collaborative negotiation process, and that both teams are “100 percent committed to the mission of the patients and the organization, giving as much as possible to the employees who are at the heart of CHC, and ensure the long-term viability of our nonprofit organization.”
According to CHU President Andrea Solomon, CHC Physician Assistant, “We provide quality medical, dental, mental health, case management, and addiction recovery support to anyone who needs it. Improvements in health and working conditions will go a long way towards recruiting and retaining the staff we need to better serve our patients.”
Mediator FMCS Commissioner Annie Rutsky assisted both parties. The newly approved contract will take effect on February 4, 2023.
Since 1971, Community Health Centers has provided quality health care to Vermonters regardless of financial or insurance status. One of 12 federally certified health centers in the state, CHC has nine locations and is one of the largest not-for-profit family health and dental practices in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. For more information on its services and programs, visit www.chcb.org.
AFT Vermont is the fastest growing union in the state representing Community Health Centers, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Porter Medical Center, Planned Parenthood Federation of Northern New England, UVM Medical Center, University of Vermont, State of Vermont and Vermont State University. More information: https://aftvermont.org/
The program was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of awards totaling $3,489,641, approximately 90 percent of which was funded from non-governmental sources. The content is that of the author and does not necessarily represent the official views of, nor does it imply an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, visit HRSA.gov.
2.2.2023.Burlington, VT – Community Health Center
