As proposed Partners HealthCare takeover looms, labor unrest grows at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital
Workers to picket hospital Thursday as contract talks stall.
MELROSE, MA – Frustrated by aggressive management tactics in labor negotiations affecting nearly 300 employees, healthcare workers will stage a picket at the main entrance of Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on Thursday, April 10, beginning at 2:15 p.m.
WHO: Healthcare workers including surgical staff, patient care technicians, imaging staff, lab staff, counselors, and more.
WHAT: Demonstration and informational picket for quality care and a fair contract.
WHEN: Thursday, April 10, 2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. EST
WHERE: Main Entrance of Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, 585 Lebanon Street, Melrose, MA
WHY: As a proposed takeover by the ultra-wealthy Partners HealthCare system looms, healthcare workers at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital are protesting management tactics in recent contract negotiations. In response to efforts by management to extract concessions specifically from lower-paid workers who are newer to the hospital, healthcare workers are escalating their campaign by taking public action this week.
Workers say hospital executives are proposing a “two-track” wage and benefit system that would compromise the future of jobs and care at the hospital.
Workers also say management is not dealing fairly with workers at a time when Melrose-Wakefield and its parent organization Hallmark Health System, along with its future potential owner Partners Healthcare, are enjoying well-documented financial success.
Caregivers say that recently compiled financial data shows there is no need to reduce the quality of jobs at the hospital or to decrease investments in healthcare service staff. For example:
1. The assets of the Hallmark hospitals (including Melrose-Wakefield) increased by $20 million in FY2013. In the same fiscal year, the Hallmark hospitals had income of $12.8 million.
2. The assets of Hallmark hospitals (including Melrose-Wakefield) increased by $6 million in the first quarter of 2014 alone.
3. According to data from the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA), net assets at the Hallmark hospitals have increased every year for the last three years.
4. Melrose-Wakefield Hospital is facing a potential takeover by Partners HealthCare – a company with more than $6 billion dollars in net assets.
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Representing nearly 50,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and nearly 400,000 workers across the East Coast, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million member Service Employees International Union.
Workers to picket hospital Thursday as contract talks stall.
MELROSE, MA – Frustrated by aggressive management tactics in labor negotiations affecting nearly 300 employees, healthcare workers will stage a picket at the main entrance of Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on Thursday, April 10, beginning at 2:15 p.m.
WHO: Healthcare workers including surgical staff, patient care technicians, imaging staff, lab staff, counselors, and more.
WHAT: Demonstration and informational picket for quality care and a fair contract.
WHEN: Thursday, April 10, 2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. EST
WHERE: Main Entrance of Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, 585 Lebanon Street, Melrose, MA
WHY: As a proposed takeover by the ultra-wealthy Partners HealthCare system looms, healthcare workers at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital are protesting management tactics in recent contract negotiations. In response to efforts by management to extract concessions specifically from lower-paid workers who are newer to the hospital, healthcare workers are escalating their campaign by taking public action this week.
Workers say hospital executives are proposing a “two-track” wage and benefit system that would compromise the future of jobs and care at the hospital.
Workers also say management is not dealing fairly with workers at a time when Melrose-Wakefield and its parent organization Hallmark Health System, along with its future potential owner Partners Healthcare, are enjoying well-documented financial success.
Caregivers say that recently compiled financial data shows there is no need to reduce the quality of jobs at the hospital or to decrease investments in healthcare service staff. For example:
1. The assets of the Hallmark hospitals (including Melrose-Wakefield) increased by $20 million in FY2013. In the same fiscal year, the Hallmark hospitals had income of $12.8 million.
2. The assets of Hallmark hospitals (including Melrose-Wakefield) increased by $6 million in the first quarter of 2014 alone.
3. According to data from the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA), net assets at the Hallmark hospitals have increased every year for the last three years.
4. Melrose-Wakefield Hospital is facing a potential takeover by Partners HealthCare – a company with more than $6 billion dollars in net assets.
###
Representing nearly 50,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and nearly 400,000 workers across the East Coast, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million member Service Employees International Union.
