Settlement Reached Between Motion Picture & Television Fund and SEIU UHW

Settlement Reached Between Motion Picture & Television Fund and SEIU UHW

LOS ANGELES, April 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SEIU United Healthcare Workers - West and Motion Picture & Television Fund announced today that they have reached a tentative agreement on a new five-year contract, which provides stable and predictable wages and benefits for more than 570 healthcare workers at MPTF Hospital and Health Centers through October 2012. The agreement has been unanimously recommended by the SEIU UHW bargaining committee to its membership, and ratification is expected by the end of the week.

"I am very pleased with this agreement," said David Tillman, M.D., MPTF President & CEO. "I feel we have achieved a deal that addresses many of MPTF's operating pressures and meets our organizational goals, and at the same time is fair to our employees and reflects the fact that MPTF is a great place to work.

"We are thrilled to have made such great progress through this agreement by remaining united," said Myra Torres, a Health Promotions Representative at the hospital for 12 years. "What we achieved, will improve the lives of patients by helping to attract and retain the most qualified caregivers in the area."

The settlement was reached after a day-long meeting between the organizations' bargaining committees Tuesday, which was facilitated by I.A.T.S.E. International President Thomas C. Short.

"We are grateful for President Short's assistance in our reaching a successful conclusion to these negotiations," commented Dr. Tillman. "As a relief organization that is still providing financial assistance to entertainment industry members who lost wages in the recent work stoppage, we know first hand how valuable it is to come to a harmonious resolution and avoid a strike situation."

"We are happy to have found common ground and reach a settlement that protects both patients and caregivers," said Barbara Lewis, SEIU UHW Administrative Vice-President. "We thank IATSE and President Short for helping us work constructively around our shared goal of ensuring quality patient care."

The non-profit Motion Picture & Television Fund was founded in 1921 to provide "relief" for those in the film industry who had fallen on hard times. Today, MPTF is a major service provider supporting the health and well being of the entertainment industry community. Care is offered with compassion and respect for the dignity of the whole person, and provided through six outpatient health centers, charitable financial assistance and community outreach programs, a renowned retirement community, and much more. Visit us at www.mptvfund.org.

The 150,000-member SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West is the largest, fastest-growing hospital and healthcare union in the western United States and represents every type of healthcare worker, including nurses, professional, technical and service classifications. Our mission is to achieve high-quality healthcare for all.

CONTACT:
Jennifer Fagen, MPTF
(818) 876-1544
Blinker Wood, SEIU UHW
(323) 434-5733

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: SEIU United Healthcare Workers - West

CONTACT: Blinker Wood, of SEIU UHW, +1-323-434-5733; or Jennifer Fagen,
of MPTF, +1-818-876-1544

Web site:

http://www.seiu-uhw.org/
http://www.mptvfund.org/

-------
Profile: intent