Fiona Andrews is an ER tech at United Medical Center, formerly Greater Southeast Community Hospital, in Washington, DC. The hospital almost closed last year, surviving only due to a new owner and a major financial commitment from the city. It's the only hospital in Washington, DC that is east of the Anacostia River and serves many of Washington's uninsured patients
Despite the city funding, which 1199SEIU had a key role in obtaining, the hospital is still struggling. Workers at the hospital have been in negotiations with management at the hospital since the end of 2007.
"We've agreed to extend our contract without a raise to help keep the hospital open," says Fiona. “But I'm worried about my bills and prices going up. I'm doing so much overtime to meet my obligations but I'm drained and I know I deliver better care when I'm not so tired.
“Negotiations have been difficult because management is basically telling us that we can't share a piece of the bread that we are all making together."
Management's position on the negotiations concerns Fiona, who says, "It's unfair. They make us feel like bottom feeders. We do all the work yet the only people benefiting are the ones at the top."
But Fiona knows that the workers will prevail because they are organized and represented by 1199SEIU. And Fiona knows the benefits of being in a Union. "Anytime you can get into the Union, go with the Union," she says. She knows this because her mother is a home health aide and 1199SEIU member in Rockaway, New York. "Recently I had a run-in with a supervisor. My Delegate represented me well so I've already benefited from being a Union member."
