Healthcare workers at St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River, Mass., voted to unionize Dec. 13, according to The Herald News.
The vote reportedly covers 800 workers at the Steward Health Care hospital, who will be represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. Unionized workers include certified nursing assistants, dietary employees, pharmacy technicians, laboratory technicians, environmental services and general maintenance workers.
"Our mission is to ensure high quality affordable care for patients and quality jobs for employees," Tim Foley, executive vice president of 1199SEIU, said via news release to The Herald News.
Mr. Foley said the "vote is a win not only for employees, patients and the hospital, but also for Fall River."
Hospital spokesperson Wendy Bauer told the publication, "Our hospital is a great place to receive care and to work. Together with our entire healthcare team, we will ensure that always remains the case. Steward has enjoyed positive relationships with many unions, including the SEIU, which has represented employees at several other Steward facilities for a number of years."
Negotiations are expected to begin next year.
More articles on human capital and risk:
Pennsylvania hospital nurse strike looms
4,000 Kaiser mental health clinic workers launch 5-day strike in California
Massachusetts hospital alleges voter fraud in November union vote