CRANBERRY TWP — The Sherwood Oaks retirement community caregivers union Monday staged an informational picket after contract negotiations with its operator, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, stalled.

Union members picketed for three hours at the intersection of Rochester Road and Norman Drive.

The picket was not a work stoppage.

About 190 workers, including licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, patient technicians, dietitians, groundskeepers and maintenance staff have been working under a contract that expired June 13.

A one-month contract extension expired Monday at midnight.

Under the old contract, full-time employees paid 15 percent of health care premiums, said Matthew Yarnell, spokesman for SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, representing the union.

Health care packages range from about $300 a month for an individual to about $1,000 a month for a family, he said.

The union agreed to a 0.9 percent premium increase in January 2009, Yarnell said.

However, UPMC officials proposed no future protection on employee contributions, leaving the door open for unlimited increases at any time, he said.

"That's obviously not good enough for us," he said.

The union requested wage increases of about 5 percent per year for three years, or about 50 cent per hour raises.

The average worker earns about $10.27 per hour, Yarnell said.

UPMC proposed increases of 2.25 percent the first year and 2 percent in the second and third years, or about 20-cent hourly raises each year, he said.

"Sherwood Oaks is currently engaged in contract talks with the SEIU and we have no comment," said Frank Raczkiewicz, UPMC director of media relations.

"To maintain the good employees we have and recruit good people … we need a fair wage," said Traci McKinnis of Connoquenessing Borough.

McKinnis has worked for six years at the facility as a certified nurses aide.

She said employees would like to receive an annual wage increase that is not absorbed by large increases in health care premiums.

"This is the most prestigious retirement community in the area, but we're the lowest paid," she said.

Bonnie Bonzo, a medication technician from New Sewickley Township, Beaver County, has worked for Sherwood Oaks for about 13 years.

She cited the rising costs of living, especially gas and food, as a reason for the picket.

"We'd like a decent wage increase, something we can live with," she said.

Health care premium increases are also of concern.

"They don't want to negotiate for X amount for this year or next year, it's whatever they want to charge you," Bonzo said. "We just want something decent, nothing out of hand."