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Another group of workers at Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital last month voted to unionize, affiliating with Service Employees International Union 1199.
A total of 188 workers in the tech and business office clerical units at Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital, formerly Lawrence General Hospital, join about another 500 workers that previously joined SEIU1199. Both elections were overseen by the National Labor Relations Board.
“Healthcare workers need a real voice on the job to advocate for ourselves and our patients,” said Lisa Rinaldo, a hospital switchboard operator. “With the rising cost of living, standing together in a union gives us the collective strength to fight for fair wages, safe staffing levels and the strong benefits we deserve.”
Besides switchboard operators, the new union workers include respiratory therapists, interventional radiology technologists, lactation consultants, clinical authorization specialists and account support representatives,
Merrimack Health management pledged to work cooperatively with the union.
“We respect the outcome of this election and deeply value our colleagues who engaged in this process. Our priority as a mission-driven health system is to create an environment where all employees feel heard and supported in their roles. We look forward to working more with 1199SEIU on initiatives that enhance the wellbeing of our patients, employees and community,” management said in a statement given to WHAV.
This summer, about 500 hospital workers, including CNAs, phlebotomists, housekeepers, transport workers, pharmacy techs and radiology aides, voted to join 1199SEIU.
Brendaly Cepeda, a nurse assistant and medical interpreter, said, “We deserve fair wages, better working conditions, job security and the respect and support we need to do our jobs well. This is about making sure our concerns are taken seriously and working to build a better future for our hospital, the employees, and the patients we serve.”
Cari Medina, executive vice president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, added, “Across Massachusetts and here at Lawrence Hospital, we’re working to address the high turnover and burnout that are contributing to a crisis in our healthcare workforce.”