Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

December 7, 2022

Windham Hospital nurses reach contract agreement with Hartford HealthCare

Contributed Windham Hospital.
By Robert Storace

Unionized healthcare workers at Windham Hospital have reached a four-year contract agreement with Hartford HealthCare that will offer wage increases and the elimination of mandatory overtime language.

Hartford HealthCare operates Windham Hospital, a 130-bed acute-care facility in Willimantic.

The agreement between the hospital and AFT Local 5041 was voted on Dec. 2. It takes effect immediately. The contract covers about 120 nurses.

The union had been seeking a new contract since Dec. 31, 2021, and nurses set up picket lines in front of the hospital several months ago.

Windham Hospital President Donna Handley emailed the Hartford Business Journal highlights of the agreement. They include wage increases and market-based increases to boost recruitment and retention; significant health premium contribution relief amounting to an additional 2% of wages; elimination of mandatory overtime language; and enhancements such as the expansion of reimbursements for property damage.

In a statement to the Hartford Business Journal, Handley said: “More than five months ago, the hospital made a fair and equitable offer and outlined what was needed to settle the contract, while addressing the union’s issues. We are pleased that, over the past several months, the union was able to work within the economic framework the hospital proposed on June 29 and reach this agreement.”

In a statement, AFT Connecticut President Jan Hochadel said: "It's unfortunate that our members were pushed into action in order to make this healthcare chain prioritize safe patient limits. We have been fighting for the safety and well-being of the Windham community, which our members have served courageously throughout the pandemic. This contract improves their working conditions -- that means their patients' conditions are improved too.” 

Sign up for Enews

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF