Members of the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East Labor-Management Committee (LMC) at HCA Florida Trinity Hospital in the Tampa Bay area recently notched a win that will help their union and co-workers everyday at the facility. 

Their efforts will result in bulletin boards with space dedicated to 1199SEIU communications and announcements being placed in all break rooms throughout the hospital, which is a provision of their union contract. 

After notifying HCA that most of the hospital’s 20 break areas lacked proper boards, LMC members toured the facility with hospital officials to point out which rooms needed signage and communications space. 

“It was a very positive and productive process on an issue that might not sound dramatic, but that benefits workers and our union everyday,” said Simmons. “The boards help us share important information on an ongoing basis with hundreds workers who are taking their breaks each day. It’s an important channel to post new policy or contract details, work or health tips or maybe even just a fun event that can boost morale and unity for workers in often high-stress jobs.” 

LMC member Neco Simmons, a patient care attendant at Trinity, said HCA representatives at the facility were responsive and understood the need to comply with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiated with 1199SEIU. 

HCA currently is printing signage and preparing the information boards to be installed in coming weeks. 

Janelle Manigault, Vice President for HCA West/North at 1199SEIU, said the win was a result of LMC members stepping up and asserting their voices and union contract. 

“There are no small victories, they’re all important when it comes to worker rights,” she said.  “That’s why we fight so hard to include details like this in our contracts to hold employers accountable. And the more members who join the LMC and our union in general will result in even bigger wins today, everyday and in the future.”