Employees held an informational picket outside Melrose-Wakefield Hospital in Melrose, Mass., Thursday over the ongoing contract negotiation between 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and the hospital.
According to the union, hospital officials are proposing a "two-track" wage and benefit system and are attempting to "extract concessions specifically from lower-paid workers who are newer to the hospital." 1199SEIU represents surgical staff, patient care technicians, imaging staff, lab staff and counselors at Melrose-Wakefield.
The union also points to the improved finances of Melrose-Wakefield's parent company, Hallmark Health System. According to the union, Hallmark's assets increased by $20 million in fiscal year 2013 and by $6 million in 2014's first quarter. Additionally, the system will soon become part of Boston-based Partners HealthCare. The union says "management is not dealing fairly with workers," as it is "enjoying well-documented financial success."
In a statement, the hospital said it is negotiating in good faith with 1199SEIU and is "confident" a contract resolution can be reached. "We have asked for no concessions for current union members, have agreed to the union's request for successor and staff reduction language, and we continue to work to create a benefits platform that is equitable for all employees," the statement reads.
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