A number of Portside readers respond to last week's Labor post, "Reader Responses to Nurses Defend Union Contract." Here are responses from Lauren Esguerra Chavarria; Shanna Murphy; Dahlia Tayag; Faye Bruneau; Francesca Gomes.
Negotiating committees at each of the hospitals are nurses elected by nurses. They have the final say prior to ratification by the entire nurse membership. Approved by a 2/3 majority, the contract breaks new ground in establishing safe staffing.
The National Union of Healthcare Workers says it's prevailed in a March 19 do-over election at Seton Medical Center over its arch-rival, the Service Employees' International Union, but the other side says the verdict isn't official yet.
As burgeoning labor group and Franklin-based CHS grow, so do their differences.
The UC health-care system boasts nearly $7 billion in operating revenue, but management wants to create a two-tier pension system for workers, while executives get yearly pension payouts of as much as $300,000.
The union is demanding stronger protection against subcontracting. Workers also want more of a voice in staffing and patient care matters.
Hospital lobbyists have tried for years to convince us all that predatory pricing policies don’t matter. But the grotesque reality tells a different story.
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