Hospital workers begin picketing


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YAKIMA, Wash. -- Employees of Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center conducted informational picketing Wednesday in an effort to make their case with the public and the hospital for a new contract.

About 350 technical, service and maintenance workers have been working without a contract since October. They are members of Service Employees International Union Healthcare 1199 NW, which began representing workers eight years ago.

A federal mediator working with both sides has asked them to return to the table next month.

"We should be done. We should have this resolved by now," said Chris Barton, secretary-treasurer of union.

The picketing was conducted on employees' breaks, their day off, lunch hour or before and after their shifts.

Janice Richards, hospital spokeswoman, said the hospital is eager for a resolution.

"We're disappointed they chose to picket but we support their right to do so. We hope to come to an agreement in a timely manner," Richards said.

Statewide, SEIU 1199NW represents 22,000 nurses, health care employees and mental health workers in hospitals, agencies and clinics.

 



Commentsicon2
Posted by lobo at 02/19/09 03:28PM        Post ID#: #1793

Yakima County unemployment rate is 10% of the legal population. These people should be happy to have good paying jobs with good benefits provided by this hospital that rips off the community.

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