Workers at Easton Hospital unionize

More than 200 Easton Hospital workers have unionized and reached their first labor contract that includes pay raises, a health care cost freeze and other benefits.

"Our main reason for organizing is we really want to have a say in our patients' care," said Meg Wilson, one of two presidents of the newly formed local affiliated with Service Employees International Union.

The 232 members of SEIU are service and technical employees, said hospital spokesman Stephen Wilson. They cover positions such as laboratory technicians, unit clerks and transporters, said Wilson, who is an ultrasound technologist.

Workers received a 2 percent raise, with an additional step up in pay for 99 of the employees who Meg Wilson said were underpaid. Employees also received a locked-in rate for health insurance costs for two years, she said this week.

"We did get a couple of battles accomplished," said Wilson, adding that management denied a union request to raise the minimum hourly wage from $9 to $10.

Efforts to unionize included polling workers about forming a bargaining unit and holding a vote through the National Labor Relations Board.

Harold Maier, assistant to the regional director of the NLRB's Philadelphia office, said Thursday that the workers voted 51-32 in favor of unionizing.

Workers eventually approved two contracts in early November, said Wilson – one for technical employees and one for service employees. The two contracts are due to have different contract expiration dates; Wilson said language in both is the same.

Employees last week completed the election of union officers. They are affiliated with SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania.

Easton Hospital has one other union, which represents nurses. About 300 nurses belong to United Independent Union Local 2, said Amy Hower, Local 2 vice president. She said the union's three-year contract is scheduled to expire on May 31.

Wilson, who has worked 20 years at Easton Hospital, credited hospital negotiators and management for being fair.

"They didn't make it as difficult for us in trying to organize," she said. "It means that they are willing to work with us, and that's what we want.

"We want the respect and to have a say in patient care."

Stephen Wilson, the hospital spokesman, said hospital management values all employees "for their skill and commitment to providing patients with quality care."

Wilson-based Easton Hospital, which employs 900, is owned by Community Health Systems Inc. It is one of the largest publicly traded hospital companies in the U.S. CHS owns 206 hospitals in 29 states including 19 in Pennsylvania, according to its website.

Source: The Allentown Morning Call