Workers at Providence Tarzana (Calif.) Medical Center picketed Monday to protest the hospital's decision to no longer contract out housekeeping work, reports the Los Angeles Daily News.
More than two dozen employees worked at Providence Tarzana through contractor Sodexo, but the hospital decided last October to create an internal environmental services department instead of continuing its outsourcing contract, according to a statement from the hospital.
The National Union of Healthcare Workers, which was part of Monday's protest, claimed the hospital's decision to no longer contract out housekeeping work was "[a] blatant act of intimidation by Providence Tarzana management to scare housekeepers from joining the union." The union also claimed Providence Tarzana refused requests by workers and faith-based organizations to explain its rationale for the lost housekeeping jobs, and said the picket was organized as part of its campaign to urge the hospital to give the housekeepers their jobs back.
The hospital said creating an internal environmental services department where the staff is directly employed by Providence Tarzana and paid competitive wages "aligns with our mission and goal to improve both patient outcomes and satisfaction."
Providence Tarzana noted that housekeepers remained employees of Sodexo and were invited to apply for jobs at Providence Tarzana in its new internal environmental services department. Many have been hired as Providence Tarzana employees, and began work Tuesday, according to the hospital. The hiring process continues.
As for the claims of intimidation, the hospital said Monday it respects the rights of its employees to choose whether to join unions.
"At Providence Tarzana Medical Center, the hospital management works collaboratively with the unions representing employees. Providence Tarzana’s decision to end its contract for environmental services was unrelated to union membership," the hospital said. "We do not take measures against caregivers who express union support, and we disagree with the characterization of the underlying facts presented in these claims. We will continue our work with NUHW concerning the employees they represent."
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