AFT Connecticut
AFT, AFL-CIO
For Release:
May 7, 2015
Contact:
Matt O'Connor,
860/221-5696
[email protected]
Healthcare Workers Coming Together to
“Build a Better Hospital” in Danbury, New Milford
Service, environmental, maintenance and other vital patient care providers at both acute care
facilities organize for a voice on the job, respond to employer’s illegal anti-union conduct
Danbury - Healthcare professionals at Danbury and New Milford Hospitals are
publicly calling on the network operating both facilities to partner with them in
improving conditions for their patients and themselves. An organizing committee
representing approximately 800 healthcare workers is today releasing a statement
announcing their collective free choice to form a union and “come together to help
build a better hospital.”
The diverse group of healthcare professionals deliver the greatest share of direct
patient care at both acute care facilities, which are operated by the non-profit
Western Connecticut Health Network (WCHN). The service, maintenance,
environmental workers and nursing assistants have chosen to unite in AFT
Connecticut, the labor federation that has long represented the registered nurses
(RNs) at the hospitals. Medical technicians, clinicians and licensed practical nurses
(LPNs) at both facilities last November formed their own AFT-affiliated union
through a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election.
“I know I play a vital role in delivering quality care for all our hospital’s patients,”
said Maritiza Hernandez a housekeeper with 16 years of experience at Danbury
Hospital. “What I do every day makes a difference in maintaining a safe, sanitary
environment. But infection control is hard to maintain with the staffing shortages
that management has forced on us and our patients,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez’ comments refer to caregiver staffing shortages at both Danbury and
New Milford Hospitals that current union members have for many years
documented and which The News-Times has recently reported. The issue has been
cited as a primary factor by healthcare workers signing cards pledging their free
choice to be represented by AFT Connecticut in negotiations over working
conditions.
“We’re forming a union to protect patient care services and gain respect for
healthcare workers,” said Elizabeth Duarte, a certified nursing assistant (CNA).
“When top executives who are paid three quarters of a million dollars admit to
Healthcare
Higher Education
Public Employees
PSRP
Teachers
35 Marshall Road
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
860/257-9782
Fax: 860/257-8214
Toll Free: 888/398-3373
www.aftct.org
Melodie Peters
PRESIDENT
Stephen McKeever
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Jean Morningstar
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Ed Leavy
SECRETARY-TREASURER
VICE PRESIDENTS
Erin Benham
Dennis Bogusky
Joanne Chapin
Ron Chivinski
David Cicarella
Shellye Davis
Patti Fusco
David Hayes
Jan Hochadel
Keith Inrig
Andrea Johnson
Laila Mandour
Patricia Mitchell
Chuck Morrell
Joella Mudry
Karen Prendergast
Randall Prose
Harry Rodriguez
James Romano
Kathleen Sanner
Martha Shoemaker
Susan Truglio
cutting staff and threaten more cuts to care, we have to stand up for our
community,” said Duarte, who has 17 years of experience at Danbury Hospital.
Duarte’s comments refer to remarks by WCHN’s chief financial officer (CFO) in a
Sunday News-Times article acknowledging staff layoffs to save money and claiming
“there isn't anywhere left to cut." CFO Stephen Rosenberg, whose 2013
compensation was reported as $731,588.00, was also quoted threatening additional
patient care services, saying “programs may have to be cut back” to achieve further
savings.
“How dare top executives talk about more and deeper cuts to patient care while
disrespecting both hospitals’ healthcare workers,” said RN Mary Consoli, president
of the Danbury Nurses Union, Unit 47, AFT Local 5047. “These vital caregivers are
lifelines between us and our patients each and every day. They deserve to be treated
by management as true partners and real professionals, not subjected to harassment
and intimidation,” said Consoli.
Consoli’s remarks refer to management’s unlawful anti-union tactics at both
Danbury and New Milford Hospitals in response to healthcare workers’ efforts to
unite for a voice in patient care. AFT Connecticut on April 24 filed an Unfair Labor
Practice (ULP) charge with the NLRB citing illegal attempts to limit workers’
protected legal rights. In January, WCHN agreed to a settlement over similar
charges of surveillance, coercion and discrimination against pro-union techs,
clinicians and LPNs at both facilities during their successful 2014 organizing drive.
AFT Connecticut, the largest union of acute care health professionals in the state,
represents approximately 725 registered nurses and 260 technicians, clinicians and license
practical nurses at Danbury and New Milford Hospitals. Follow the labor federation on
Twitter at @AFTCT and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aftct.
###
Attached -“Danbury Hosp. & New Milford Hosp. Healthcare Workers” Statement
Apr. 24 Charge Against Employer Over Unfair Labor Practices (ULP)
NLRB Notice to Employees of Settlement Agreement