This week, healthcare workers from four HCA-affiliated hospitals joined together to educate their communities through conversation and leafleting about why they are standing up for their patients and professions by raising standards in their hospital.



The groups of workers from Osceola Regional Medical Center, Fawcett Memorial Hospital (pictured left), Palms West Hospital, and West Palm Hospital handed out leaflets that explained caregivers who provide care in their communities are not getting a fair share of hospital’s profits. The workers are currently in negotiations with their employers, who are affiliated with the Hospital Corporation of America, the largest for-profit hospital chain in the nation. HCA-affiliated hospitals are so profitable that in the last two years, HCA’s top six executives earned more than $150 million. Yet, the lowest starting wage for an HCA-affiliated employee among the 19 hospitals represented by 1199SEIU in Florida is $8.97.



“The response was very positive. The community was very shocked at how low the wages are!” said Angelo Lista, a Patient Care Tech at Fawcett Memorial and an 1199SEIU bargaining team member.



Over the next two weeks, workers at 17 other HCA-affiliated hospitals in Florida will continue educating their communities about the low starting wages and the concerns over retaining the most experienced and qualified medical personnel at their hospitals.