After a 2 day ratification vote, the membership of Howard Brown Health Workers United (HBHWU) has voted in favor of ratifying their first contract, 289-7. The contract will be implemented beginning in May and will encompass the approximately 360 member bargaining unit represented by the Illinois Nurses Association (INA). This newly ratified contract marks the end of a long and contentious year and a half long contract fight which included two strikes and numerous worker actions, protests, and rallies. 

The new contract provides strong protections to workers’ jobs and rights and a significant increase in wages and benefits for INA’s newest members. Highlights include a pay scale that creates wage transparency for members; an average of 7% raises for all members; a new minimum wage of $19.23 across the organization; insurance offered to part-time employees; 2 weeks of paid leave for gender affirming care; bereavement leave for chosen family, clients, and patients; protections against layoffs and changes to job descriptions; a strong union rights clause that will protect against major unilateral changes to the workplace; a progressive discipline policy with just cause protections; and differentials for float, weekend, and evening work. This is a 3 year contract that will expire on June 30, 2027. 

This unit first began organizing in November of 2021, and won their recognition vote with 98% in favor in August of 2022. Shortly thereafter, Howard Brown Health Management began negotiations by illegally laying off 61 members of the new bargaining unit. While the NLRB ruled in our favor to reinstate employees and several of those members chose to return to work, there is still an outstanding court case to win the backpay that those 61 members rightfully deserve. 

“Hopefully this contract marks the beginning of an improved relationship between leadership and staff, along with more equitable and livable working conditions from the clinics to the Brown Elephant stores. I look forward to seeing our patient care become more streamlined and consistent as a result of increased staff job satisfaction and retention. This is not only a win for the HBH staff, but for our entire community that has shown us unwavering support since the start.” – Olivia Prager, Bargaining Committee member.