CWA 1180 - Calendar

Veterinarians close to contract

May 2006

Following negotiations that lasted two months, the union and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reached a tentative agreement in April for a new two-year contract which will see veterinarian base pay rise substantially.

Wage hikes average 7.4 percent in the first year (effective January 1, 2006), though veterinarians with less than five years experience will receive a larger raise of 11.3 percent. On January 1, 2007, veterinarians with less than 10 years experience will receive a 2 percent increase plus a 2 percent step progression, for a total of 4 percent. Doctors who are over the top salary step and have more than 10 years experience will receive 3.25 percent increases
in each of the two years of the contract. And a new job title, Senior Animal Placement Veterinarian, was created with a higher rate of pay.

Benefits protected

Despite the rising cost of health insurance, employees will continue to have their benefits fully covered by the ASPCA, with a modest increase in co-pays for doctor and specialist visits. The union also won important clarifications in the grievance procedure plus an increase to $2,000 (from $1,500) in the allowance for continuing education, which is required for veterinarians to maintain their license.

Debates over profit-sharing

At press time, one issue was still being debated by the members: the ASPCA’s system of profit-sharing. After price hikes last year by the ASPCA
resulted in very generous bonus checks for the veterinarians under the last contract, ASPCA management asked for a reduction in profit-sharing. “We were really happy with almost everything,” says Dr. Jennifer Gambino, a member of the bargaining committee, “except for the unresolved question of the profit-sharing. Winning the extra support for continuing education was a really big thing for us, because including travel costs this can be an enormous
expense. And of course the salary increases are very important.”

The union expects to hold a ratification vote once all final language is received. Local 1180 vicepresident Bill Henning led the negotiations in conjunction with a bargaining committee composed of Drs. Gambino and Robert Reisman.

The contract runs through December 31, 2007.

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