More than 1,100 workers at Hawai'i Medical Center, Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children, The Queen's Medical Center and St. Francis Community Health Services have ratified new contracts with wage increases and other benefits, the Teamsters announced yesterday.

"We are pleased to have achieved settlements with the employers in an expeditious manner," said Ron Kozuma, president of Hawai'i Teamsters, Local 996. "The new contracts are a reflection of the value our members provide to the healthcare industry."

The contracts cover nurses, nursing assistants, patient care technicians, food service workers, supply clerks, storeroom employees, housekeeping personnel, groundskeepers and others.

Union members at Queen's got the biggest wage increase — 18 percent over three years. The contract, ratified July 6, also includes increases to tuition reimbursement.

Employees at Kapi'olani Medical Center also got hefty raises. Their three-year contract ratified June 27 includes a 15 percent wage increase, along with a $300 signing bonus. Some employees also received salary hikes to bring their wages up to par with industry standards.

Meanwhile, employees at St. Francis Community Health Services got a 9 percent wage increase as part of a three-year contract ratified Tuesday. And Hawai'i Medical Center workers approved a one-year contract June 25, with a 2 percent increase this month and a 2 percent increase in December. The union is still trying to bring back workers laid off in February.

Local 996 represents more than 6,000 members.