Workers at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts Approve First Contract

To help safeguard reproductive care in the state, contract focuses on boosting retention and recruitment with higher pay and increased training opportunities  

BOSTON – Workers at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts with 1199SEIU have voted unanimously to ratify a new contract. The bargaining unit includes around 150 healthcare assistants, registered nurses, patient navigators, educators, tele-health workers, advanced practice clinicians, and advocates at PPLM. This contract provides annual raises, including a $2.50/hr wage increase, boosting the wages of the lowest workers by 13% immediately. 

“This is a huge win for everyone at PPLM,” said Jon Marx, an organizer in Western Massachusetts for PPLM. “Not only are our rights protected, but our gains will address many of our long-held concerns. This contract will ensure better wages, an end to merit raises, and an established grievance process. This is the foundation for a better future for all PPLM workers!” 

The new contract also includes increased parental leave, strong protections against discrimination, including enhanced protection for working parents, a continued commitment to providing a safe, secure, and healthy environment for all employees, and to continue to provide paid training on health and safety matters.

“This contract is designed to support staff well-being and longevity at our organization through measures like increased parental leave, strong protections and benefits especially for working parents, and our continued commitment to implementing policies and trainings that support the health and safety of our staff and our patients,” said Ellen Frank, interim President and CEO of PPLM. “Throughout this process it was clear that both management and staff shared a lot of the same goals, which is why it’s exciting to have finalized a contract just 10 months after starting this process. We are grateful to our staff on both sides of the bargaining table who got us to this pivotal moment for PPLM.”

“Massachusetts will remain a champion in protecting access to reproductive and gender-affirming care with this contract,” said Tim Foley, 1199SEIU executive vice president. “This workforce has been on the frontlines for far too long without the protections they deserve, and now they have a contract that will help them remain in the jobs they love while also being able to care for themselves and their families.”

PPLM workers began organizing in early 2022, with 98% of workers voting to unite in 1199SEIU shortly after the Dobbs decision in July 2022. The new contract is effective through December 2025 and covers workers in Boston, Worcester, Marlborough, and Springfield. They are part of a growing movement of Planned Parenthood workers in SEIU, which represent nearly 1,000 Planned Parenthood workers in New York, Maine, Washington D.C., and Colorado.