Last month, members of UFCW Local 663 who are employed as health care workers at Villa at Osseo nursing home in Osseo, Minn., ratified first union contracts that raise wages and improve working conditions.
Highlights of the new two-year contracts include guaranteed wage increases and premiums and improvements to working conditions and workplace rights – including union representation, a grievance procedure, and discipline only for just cause.
The contract ratification for both full- and part-time workers took place on December 23, and the unit includes licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, trained medication aides, nursing assistants registered, dietary aides and recreational services assistants. The contract ratification for health care services workers took place on December 29.
Veronica Funnebo, a licensed practical nurse, was happy about the raises. “My pay increase will help me to be able to save extra after paying my bills,” she said.
Villa at Osseo management signed a voluntary recognition agreement with UFCW Local 663 on August 20, 2020, that assigned the local as the exclusive representative of employees of the worker units. Union members and management began the process of good faith collective bargaining for the first contracts last fall.
“We chose to form a union because we wanted a better quality of life, respect at the workplace, and a voice at work. Now, my coworkers and I have that,” said David Arradondo, who is a dietary aide.
“Our union family welcomes our newest members at Villa at Osseo,” said UFCW Local 663 President Matthew Utecht. “These workers join the ranks of our union—thousands of essential workers strong—knowing that we have each other’s backs. Our union has a place for anyone that wants to build a better life by reaching together for higher wages, benefits and more workplace protections.”