Media Advisory For: Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Contacts: Dave Bates | 347.865.8038 | dave.bates@1199.org
Chelsea-Lyn Rudder | 646.413.2223 | ChelseaLyn.Rudder@1199.org
CareForNY.org #WeCareForNY
As master contract expiration approaches, “informational picket lines” aim to educate patients & the public about CEOs who are threatening the quality of healthcare & jobs for New Yorkers
What:
Who: Healthcare workers, 1199SEIU President George Gresham, prominent elected officials, faith leaders, patient advocates and community allies
When: Wednesday, June 18, 12:30 PM
Where: Mt. Sinai Hospital, 99th St. & Madison Ave., Manhattan
New York City- On Wednesday, June 18, thousands of nurses and caregivers will be holding protests for quality care and good jobs at over 100 facilities throughout the New York City area. The “informational picket lines” at hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and other facilities mark the launch of an effort to educate patients and the public about healthcare CEOs who are severely threatening the quality of healthcare services and jobs for New Yorkers.
The nurses and healthcare workers of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East have been in master contract negotiations with employers in the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes, the employer group representing most private hospitals, nursing homes and clinics in downstate New York. In negotiations, employers have been threatening radical changes to caregivers’ health benefits which could result in massive cuts for 55,000 lower-wage workers and future cuts for over 110,000 total members. Quality patient care depends on healthy caregivers, so these cuts could put patients and the public health at risk. Employers are also threatening the economic health of communities by opening many outpatient facilities with sub-standard, non-union jobs. Meanwhile, the top five health systems had over $20 billion in revenues last year and CEO compensation has increased 420% since 2004.
Caregivers have launched a website, CareForNY.org, and radio, online, bus shelter and subway ads. This is part of a rapidly escalating campaign aimed at reaching an agreement before the July 15th expiration date of the master contract. The informational picketing is to educate patients and the public and is not a strike. Caregivers do not seek to have anyone stop work, refuse to deliver goods or otherwise cease business with any employer.
###
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in New York and the nation. We represent over 250,000 healthcare workers in New York State, and over 400,000 total members throughout the East Coast. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
Contacts: Dave Bates | 347.865.8038 | dave.bates@1199.org
Chelsea-Lyn Rudder | 646.413.2223 | ChelseaLyn.Rudder@1199.org
CareForNY.org #WeCareForNY
As master contract expiration approaches, “informational picket lines” aim to educate patients & the public about CEOs who are threatening the quality of healthcare & jobs for New Yorkers
What:
Who: Healthcare workers, 1199SEIU President George Gresham, prominent elected officials, faith leaders, patient advocates and community allies
When: Wednesday, June 18, 12:30 PM
Where: Mt. Sinai Hospital, 99th St. & Madison Ave., Manhattan
New York City- On Wednesday, June 18, thousands of nurses and caregivers will be holding protests for quality care and good jobs at over 100 facilities throughout the New York City area. The “informational picket lines” at hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and other facilities mark the launch of an effort to educate patients and the public about healthcare CEOs who are severely threatening the quality of healthcare services and jobs for New Yorkers.
The nurses and healthcare workers of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East have been in master contract negotiations with employers in the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes, the employer group representing most private hospitals, nursing homes and clinics in downstate New York. In negotiations, employers have been threatening radical changes to caregivers’ health benefits which could result in massive cuts for 55,000 lower-wage workers and future cuts for over 110,000 total members. Quality patient care depends on healthy caregivers, so these cuts could put patients and the public health at risk. Employers are also threatening the economic health of communities by opening many outpatient facilities with sub-standard, non-union jobs. Meanwhile, the top five health systems had over $20 billion in revenues last year and CEO compensation has increased 420% since 2004.
Caregivers have launched a website, CareForNY.org, and radio, online, bus shelter and subway ads. This is part of a rapidly escalating campaign aimed at reaching an agreement before the July 15th expiration date of the master contract. The informational picketing is to educate patients and the public and is not a strike. Caregivers do not seek to have anyone stop work, refuse to deliver goods or otherwise cease business with any employer.
###
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in New York and the nation. We represent over 250,000 healthcare workers in New York State, and over 400,000 total members throughout the East Coast. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
