After two strikes, Howard Brown Health workers ratify contract

After a year and a half of negotiations and two strikes, a union representing 360 workers at Howard Brown has approved its first contract with the health care provider.

The workers are represented by the Illinois Nurses Association but are non-nurses, including administrative staff, therapists, physician assistants and workers in the organization’s Brown Elephant thrift stores. It was ratified with 98% of members who participated voting in favor of it.

The new, three-year contract includes 7% raises for union members, a new minimum wage of $19.23 for workers, health insurance for part-time employees and two weeks of paid leave for gender affirming care, among other things, according to the union.

Howard Brown is a federally qualified health center, meaning it receives federal dollars to help patients with low incomes. It provides care at 10 clinics across the city, and specializes in caring for LGBTQ+ patients and people living with HIV.

“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,” said bargaining committee member Olivia Prager in a news release.

Howard Brown interim President and CEO Dr. Robin Gay said in a statement, “In our 50-year history, this is a crucial milestone where our colleagues’ voices are heard and respected.”

The ratification follows a tumultuous couple years for Howard Brown and its employees. Workers represented by the union went on strike twice last year, in January and November. The first strike came after more than 60 employees were laid off, as Howard Brown said it faced a potential $12 million shortfall.

In July, a regional office of the National Labor Relations Board found merit to allegations that Howard Brown engaged in unfair labor practices, following complaints from the union. Howard Brown then offered to reinstate the laid-off workers, and 25 agreed to return. A full settlement, however, has not yet been reached in the matter. In March, the NLRB issued a complaint against Howard Brown, and a hearing before an administrative law judge has been set for October.