Nursing home workers, county close to contract

7/1/2003

BOWLING GREEN — After more than two months of negotiating, county leaders and union employees of the Wood County Nursing Home have stepped closer to a possible contract settlement.

Using the assistance of a federal mediator, union members with the Service Employees International Union, District 1199, said yesterday the sides tentatively settled on a three-year contract that calls for a 3 percent wage increase in the first year, a 2 percent increase plus a lump sum in the second year, and a wage reopener in the third year. The lump sum would be $200 for full-time employees and $100 for part-time workers, said union representative Rachel Morrow.

The union represents about 100 workers at the nursing home. Their contract expired yesterday.

Andrew Kalmar, the county administrator, said the commissioners have yet to review and approve the proposed contract. He said they're expected to meet this afternoon . Union members will meet tomorrow to discuss ratifying the contract, Ms. Morrow said.