Union workers at Howard Brown Health, an LGBTQ+ healthcare provider, have hammered out a tentative contract agreement after rigorous negotiations, strikes, and labor disputes spanning over 17 months. Voting on the contract is scheduled to begin on April 29 and will conclude on May 1. After a tough stretch that saw two strikes and multiple complaints of unfair labor practices, the first contract for union employees is finally up for approval. Christi Kargl, part of the union's contract action team, expressed relief and excitement about the progress, telling the Chicago Sun-Times, "Prior to this tentative agreement, a lot of people were getting burnt out and some people were losing hope we were going to get a good amount of the things we wanted in this contract."
Discussions with management led to several small victories for the workers, who will now see an average of 7% raises across the union, a new base wage of $19.23, and insurance for part-time employees. Additional terms of the tentative three-year contract that stands to end June 30, 2027, include two weeks of paid leave for gender-affirming care, a union rights clause, and a safeguard against layoffs. The contract also establishes engaging in negotiations prior to changing job descriptions, geared at reducing staff turnover and burnout. The terms are being publicly hailed as steps that will improve the overall care patients at Howard Brown receive and make the institution a better place to work, as captured by Kargl's comments in her interview with the Chicago Sun-Times.
Katie Metos, vice president of external relations for Howard Brown Health, acknowledging the struggles in reaching this juncture, told the Chicago Sun-Times, "We've heard from folks in the community that Howard Brown services are lifesaving and life-changing. They need us to work together to better serve our community." The new contract's focus on the lowest-paid workers was a turning point in the discussions. She also noted that a hearing with the National Labor Relations Board is set for October, but expressed confidence in resolving any remaining issues well ahead of time.
Part-time workers, especially those at the retail arm, The Brown Elephant, were among those poised to benefit from the new minimum wage and eligibility for health insurance under the tentative deal. Highlighting the significance of the new provisions, Glenn Short, who works at The Brown Elephant, mentioned in an interview with WTTW News, "Wages were low and stagnant, with myself and co-workers holding multiple jobs to stay afloat. This contract will enable us to keep working at Brown Elephant without sacrificing our needs." The contract includes other notable features such as a raise in the bilingual differential and bereavement leave for the chosen family.
As the Howard Brown Health community braces for the ratification vote, optimism is palpable among the union workers and management alike. Josseline Almengor, part of the bargaining committee, told WTTW News, "We are absolutely thrilled. We will continue to make sure that Howard Brown Health is always going to be a safe place where people can get seen for who they are and get their health care needs met with the respect and dignity that every person deserves."
