In a win for HSA hospital workers and their 1199SEIU union contract, the owner of Florida Medical Center and Palmetto General Hospital has committed to correct an issue that was costing bargaining unit members working hours and wages.

Hospital supervisors were sending staff home early in certain departments, including unit secretaries, monitor technicians and others. However, after cutting those shifts short, the hospitals would then assign unit secretary and tech duties to other staff on duty not included in the bargaining unit.

When 1199SEIU members notified HSA managers at the corporate level about this cost-cutting contract violation, which resulted in short staffing, the company quickly directed the hospitals to immediately stop the practice. In addition, 1199SEIU members are currently negotiating to win back any lost wages for the workers who were sent home early.

“The individual hospitals were trying to squeeze staffing and costs, but our members spoke up and knew that their union contract protected them,” said DeQuasia Canales 1199SEIU Vice President. “We’re pleased that HSA corporate leaders were responsive and willing to promptly fix the issue.”

HSA took ownership of Florida Medical Center, North Shore Medical Center and Palmetto General Hospital last year and has been a collaborative partner with 1199SEIU in recognizing workers, rewarding experience, and rebuilding trust with the workforce and the South Florida community.

If you or a co-worker is continuing to have issues with call off and reassignment of work duties, please document the issue using our Report An Issue form at www.1199seiu.org/reportanissue.