“It took us over 50 years to win the benefits we have. Not a single thing was given to us.”

Hundreds of 1199SEIU members at two NYU-Langone Medical Center facilities in New York City held informational pickets Aug. 31 to protest the hospital giant’s recent decision to leave League of Voluntary Hospitals and Nursing Homes, an association of hospitals and nursing homes formed in 1968 to conduct joint bargaining with 1199.

Management at the healthcare mega-system maintains the move is simply a prudent business decision, but 1199SEIU members charge it’s the first volley in NYU’s larger war on the Union and their benefits under the 1199 National Benefit Fund.

Since its founding, the League of Voluntary Hospitals has grown to include 109 non-profit medical centers, nursing homes and related healthcare facilities. Over the years, members at those institutions have fought for and won model healthcare, education and childcare benefits for themselves and their families.

“ What about the next generation? Once they’re [NYU] out of the League we don’t know what they will do, so we need to make sure they stay in.”

—Bridget Duncan, patient care tech

At an Aug. 16 chapter meeting of members and delegates, 1199SEIU Pres. George Gresham urged every worker to stand up for their rights during the struggle with NYU. He reminded members of the Union’s history at the institution and called on them to be fearless as leaders and in the show of collective strength.

“It took us over 50 years to win the benefits we have. Not a single thing was given to us,” he said. “And remember—other hospitals are watching what happens here with NYU. What we have is what we fight for; what we fight for is what we keep.”

“I’m so angry,” said building services worker Marcia Morrison. “I once worked in an institution where we had no contract for 10 years. I want our members to understand that they have to be there for the picket.”

NYU workers repeatedly affirmed their benefits as peace of mind as they work on the front lines of healthcare.

“We get so caught up in our jobs. It’s like being in the water up to your knees—you don’t realize how fast it’s rising until you’re drowning,” said Kerry McGee, a cardiac stress lab associate. “I’m the single parent of a 14-year-old daughter. Without my benefits I’d have to take her to the ER for her school physical every year or worry about losing my home because of a medical bill. Now I don’t have to do that. What’s going on really concerns me and so I’m doing what I can to help.”

“WE’RE OUT HERE TO LET THEM KNOW WE MATTER.”

At the Aug. 31 picket, patient unit associate Lisa Porter coordinated one of three picket lines at the doors of the hospital’s main site on First Ave. in Manhattan. Porter spoke over whistles, horns, singing and chants of “No Justice! No Peace!” and “If We Don’t Get It, Shut It Down!”

“They think we are not important,” she said as she encouraged her sisters and brothers to raise their voices by waving her arms and blowing her own whistle. “I’ve been here since 1988. I take home $1,120.00 every two weeks after taxes. They fight us for every penny we earn. They think the people who take care of the patients in the hospital don’t matter. We’re out here to let them know that we do matter.”

Workers were joined by numerous community supporters, members of other unions who stopped by on lunch hours to show solidarity. Several elected officials joined the lines, including New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. Both called on NYU to do the right thing by dedicated caregivers.

At NYU-Langone’s Hospital For Joint Diseases in Lower Manhattan, Bridget Duncan, a patient care technician since 1986, marched the picket line on her day off. “I’m getting ready to retire and I’ve put in my papers, but I’m worried about the people who’ll come after me,” she said. “What about the next generation? Once they’re out of the League we don’t know what they will do, so we need to make sure they stay in.”