Hospital Workers Stand for $15 and a Union

We work for the biggest industry in our city. Our work helps save lives and gets people the care they need to get well. It takes a special kind of person to do what we do. But too many of us are struggling to afford rent, groceries and our own healthcare. My co-worker Marcus sometimes has to work over 60 hours just to be able to pay his basic bills.
The executives of our giant health systems are fighting each other for patients and profits, but hospital workers like me and Marcus are standing up for better jobs and better healthcare.

Frontline workers from AGH, UPMC, and other hospitals in our area are standing up for access to care for everyone, adequate staff in every hospital, and $15 an hour and the right to form a union without interference. Watch our new video to see what Hospital Workers Rising is all about.
Like and Share to stand with Hospital Workers who are standing up for a healthier Pittsburgh.

Posted by Hospital Workers Rising on Friday, July 24, 2015

Frontline workers from AGH, UPMC and other hospitals in our area are standing up to say what we and our communities need.  We’re saying this means access to care for everyone, adequate staff in every hospital and $15 an hour and the right to form a union without interference. That’s what Hospital Workers Rising is all about.
From Los Angeles to Massachusetts, to New York, workers are standing up to improve their lives and their communities and they are winning.  Workers and their elected officials are taking bold action to lift up their cities. Now it’s our turn in Pittsburgh.  In two weeks, we’re going downtown to call on our own elected officials.  Let’s rise up together for good jobs, quality care and a stronger Pittsburgh.
It’s our time to make history. Join us.
Mary Ann Williams
UPMC Presbyterian

Making History!

I am proud to stand with the workers at Allegheny General Hospital who announced historic news:
AGH workers voted overwhelmingly this week to form a union with SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania so they can come together for their patients and create stronger future for Pittsburgh. Service workers voted with 83 percent support and technical workers voted with 72 percent support.
1200 workers are joining the union—the largest group of hospital service and technical workers ever to organize in Pittsburgh!
I am a patient care tech at UPMC, and I know that whatever health system we work for, frontline hospital workers across Pittsburgh face a lot of the same challenges. We also share the same vision for an eds and meds economy that is built on good, family sustaining jobs and a city where all patients have access to high quality, affordable healthcare.
That’s why across Pittsburgh today, UPMC workers are cheering AGH workers’ success. We’re excited by this breakthrough and more determined than ever to stand up for good jobs and a union at UPMC, and to make sure our giant health system respects our rights.
It’s a new day in Pittsburgh.
Hospital workers are rising, building a movement to create a stronger voice for healthcare workers and strengthen our city’s middle class.
“We are thrilled to come together for our families, our patients, and all of Pittsburgh,” said Donald Copper, an advanced life support technician who has worked at AGH for nine years. “We are at the frontlines of the biggest industry in Pittsburgh and we are excited to work with each other and management to create a stronger, better future for our hospital.”
James Threatt                       
Patient Care Tech, UPMC Shadyside