Following the path of their fellow NUHW members who work for Wellpath inside county jails, workers at Lake County Jail unanimously ratified their first ever contract this month.
“This is a great start for us as a union,” said Nick Rosete, a nurse practitioner, who served on the bargaining committee. “We couldn’t be happier with the progress we’ve made as a united team.”
NUHW already represented Wellpath workers at jails operated by Wellpath Alameda, Sonoma, and Stanislaus county when approximately 21 workers at the Lake County jail, including nurses, mental health providers and discharge planners, voted to join as well.
Negotiations moved quickly after Wellpath settled a contract with NUHW members in Stanislaus County, who were ready to go on strike for a fair deal.
The Stanislaus agreement became the basis for a three-year contract in Sonoma County last month, and this month in Lake County, where workers had made it clear to management that they were also ready to fight for a good agreement.
The contract includes:
- 4 percent annual raises.
- A wage scale with steps at 12, 18, and 20 years of service
- Strong job protections against termination and discipline
- Limits on mandatory overtime
- The addition of Juneteenth as a paid holiday and higher vacation caps
- A 7 percent cap on healthcare cost increases
“Everyone feels good about the contract,” Rosete said, “and excited for what we can accomplish together moving forward.”
