RNs & Other Caregivers Stopped from Delivering Petition to Summit Health
May 23, 2024
Workers Demand the Walgreens Backed Company
Begin Contract Negotiations
Rye Brook, NY: Earlier today registered nurses and other caregivers from Summit Health attempted to present a “giant” petition to Summit executives at their offices in Rye Brook. The petition signed by hundreds of Summit staff demands the healthcare giant begin respecting their employees and start bargaining in good faith. Outrageously the frontline healthcare workers were refused entry to the corporate offices, and they were forced to stand on the Westchester Avenue sidewalk with community supporters.
“Nobody–least of all healthcare workers–should put off seeing a doctor, but some Summit staff are doing just that because of our high copays and deductibles. We know the benefits that 1199SEIU caregivers at other institutions receive. We deserve similar benefits,” said Lori Eriksen, a lead sterile Processing technician, who has worked at Summit Health for almost a decade.
Summit Health, a for-profit corporation that operates almost 370 locations, was the result of a 2019 merger between Summit Medical Group and CityMD. VillageMD, which is majority owned by Walgreens, acquired Summit Health in early 2023 for $8.9 billion. Walgreens had $139 billion in sales in fiscal year 2023.