THE UNION DIFFERENCE
Here’s what Phelps Hospital employees without a union have, compared to what 1199 members have:
VOICE AND RESPECT
No Union
Management has the final say in everything.
Phelps Hospital may modify or eliminate any benefits or programs it currently provides, as well as increase the cost to employees of such benefits and programs.
1199 Members
Employees have a real voice and are respected.
Management has to sit down with employees and negotiate wages and benefits in a written contract.
Worker-management committees meet regularly to address safe staffing, scope of practice, job safety, patient care and other policies.
HEALTH BENEFITS
No Union
Expensive and limited.
Employees can pay hundreds of dollars a month for health, dental, vision and prescriptions, especially with family coverage.
1199 Members
Healthcare at no cost.
Most full-time (and many part-time) 1199 members have no-cost health, vision, dental and prescriptions for employee, children and spouse.
No premiums, no deductibles, no co-pays.
RETIREMENT
No Union
Insecurity and risk.
Amount fluctuates with the stock market
You don’t know what your retirement will be until the day you retire.
1199 Members
Strong, secure pension.
If we choose the 1199 Pension, we would keep all of the retirement money we currently have invested.
Then we would continue to earn more with our 1199 Pension, with a guaranteed monthly payout for the rest of our lives when we retire.
Vested in pension after 5 years of service.
JOB SECURITY
No Union
The hospital is an ‘at will’ employer, which means you can be terminated at any time—with or without cause and with or without notice—for any lawful reasons.
1199 Members
Protections against layoffs and subcontracting.
A fair disciplinary procedure so workers are not fired without just cause.
RETIREMENT HEALTHCARE
No Union
None.
You could work your whole life at Phelps Hospital and then be without healthcare when you retire.
1199 Members
Retiree healthcare at no cost.
No-cost healthcare and prescriptions for members and our spouses when we retire at 62.5 with 25 years of service or at 65 with 10 years of service.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
No Union
Inadequate.
Employees have to pay out-of-pocket and then be reimbursed.
1199 Members
Education at no cost.
6 free credits per semester at CUNY and SUNY schools, no out of pocket expenses.
No-cost continuing medical education seminars and conferences.
CHILDCARE
No Union
None.
Employees have to pay out-of-pocket and then be reimbursed.
1199 Members
Childcare benefits at no cost or low cost
Includes vouchers for day care and summer camp.