Supply clerk Jim Staus was fired not long after he wore a union button to his job at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. After the ensuing year-long litigation, UPMC offered Jim a significant financial settlement to walk away.
Award-winning Pittsburgh filmmaker Phinehas Hodges captures Jim’s story as he struggles with the decision to accept the money, or to fight on, in hopes of better jobs for generations to come.
This is Jim’s story:
“Some of my doctors are on that list, but I am so angry and disgusted at UPMC that I will switch doctors rather than let UPMC get away with this unethical ploy.”
My anger toward UPMC will turn to action in finding new doctors
On Jan. 1, UPMC will achieve its long-sought divorce from Highmark. The separation will undoubtedly disrupt care, add untold stress and potentially harm thousands. UPMC, in refusing even to negotiate a renewed contract, has plainly driven the breakup.
UPMC’s costly divorce from Highmark – Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Demonstrators are arrested along Grant Street during a protest against UPMC, calling for good jobs with a union for all service workers, Downtown on Wednesday, July 30, 2014. The protestors began with a rally in Mellon Square Park then marched to UPMC’s headquarters where around 30 demonstrators were arrested by police.
30 cited for blocking street at union rally at UPMC facility – Tribune Review
Hundreds of UPMC workers, janitors, faith leaders, union members, community groups and other Pittsburghers marched to UPMC’s headquarters to demand more. At least 30 people were arrested during the rally.
30 Arrested Protesting at UPMC Corporate Headquarters
Wednesday afternoon’s protest snarled rush-hour traffic in Downtown and involved a police-escorted march from the newly re-opened Mellon Square Park, along Sixth Avenue and ended in front of UPMC headquarters on Grant Street.
UPMC employees protest job, wage cuts – Post-Gazette
Christoria Hughes
Dietary, UPMC Presbyterian
Take Action: Sign our Petition to tell UPMC: Stop Holding Pittsburgh Back
Our friend Reverend John Welch from the Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network put it this way:
“Good jobs with worker protections, access to affordable healthcare and paying a fair share are not gifts to Pittsburgh. They are what Pittsburghers expect from our city’s largest employer, healthcare provider and landowner. With sufficient money to pay millions to executives, to buy corporate jets and to set aside in profits, UPMC can and must do more to strengthen our families and our city and lead the way for others to do the same.”
This afternoon we will be taking our call directly to UPMC. Can you join my co-workers and me to demand that UPMC stop holding us back?
WHAT: Good Jobs With A Union at UPMC!
WHEN: Wednesday, July 30, 4:30 pm
WHERE: Mellon Square Park – 6th Ave and William Penn Place
You can RSVP on Facebook Here: https://www.facebook.com/
Together we can make it OUR UPMC.
Christoria Hughes
Dietary, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital
Strong and healthy communities begin with good jobs and a union so that workers can support their families and join the middle class.
On Wednesday, Common Pleas Court Judge R. Stanton Wettick Jr. threw out the City of Pittsburgh lawsuit that had sought to impose the payroll tax on the $10 billion enterprise. But it’s way too early for UPMC to be popping the bubbly.
Premature celebration: UPMC’s tax suit win came on a technicality
Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge R. Stanton Wettick’s ruling is very clear that this has nothing to do with UPMC’s charity status, and our community feels strongly that based on the organization’s actions, the health care giant is not a charity.