Members said no to management-proposed cuts and cost shifting in current talks with the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes.Hundreds of 1199SEIU members held an informational picket at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan today; they joined thousands of their Union brothers and sisters who also held informational pickets at more than 100 New York City-area hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities represented by the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes.

The demonstrations launched a campaign to educate the public about 1199SEIU members’ current struggle to settle a fair contract with the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes. Employers are demanding extensive cost shifting and changes to members’ health benefit funding. The results could be damaging cuts for some 55,000 lower-wage workers. Future cuts could affect healthcare access for as many as 110,000 members. With patient care dependent on healthy caregivers, the public may be at risk.

“We work in healthcare. We take care of patients every day. We want to keep doing our jobs,” said Carolyn Walker – Jones, a perioperative PCA at Mt. Sinai. “What better way to let us do that than to settle a fair contract with benefits? We need people who are going to take care of those who are sick and unwell. People who do that work deserve to be cared for, too.”

During the Mt. Sinai picket, 1199SEIU Pres. George Gresham and Sec. Treas. Maria Castaneda held a press conference, where they were joined by Union members, elected officials and coalition partners, including Amnesty International CEO Steven Hawkins.

In his remarks, Gresham said the League contract struggle continued the 1199’s tradition of fighting for justice and equality because it is a fight for quality healthcare for all of New York’s working people.

“We are the first to go to Albany when funding is needed for healthcare,” said Gresham. “Now it’s time for the hospitals to be fair to those who care.”

“1199ers are some of the staunchest advocates for healthcare,” Gresham continued. “You cannot expect us to stop when it comes to our own healthcare.”

Hawkins, who made it to the picket in spite of travel delays, expressed pride at standing with 1199ers in their fight against the decimation of healthcare in New York.

“We at Amnesty International believe that workers’ rights are human rights. We believe in economic security. We believe benefits that keep workers healthy are fundamental rights,” said Hawkins. “This is what Amnesty International is fighting for around the world and we are honored to be standing with 1199 during this period.”

Delegate Maryum O’Neil, a business associate on Mt. Sinai’s psychiatric unit for five years, said it was painful to see how she and her co-workers are being treated after so much dedication to their hospital.

“After my son had cancer I went to work and put a smile on my face because I know that some of our patients are so depressed. Our workers are very dedicated. We love Mt. Sinai and our jobs,” she said. “To hear them talk about cutting our benefits is outrageous.”

See additional stories for coverage of actions at League institutions throughout the metropolitan area. More information is also available online at www.CareForNY.org and on Twitter at #WeCareForNY.