An estimated 500 workers at Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital in Jamaica Plain will be taking a vote on whether to unionize, reports the Boston Business Journal.
Union officials say the group has 75 days from Jan. 30 to complete organizing work and talk with support staff before the vote. The vote would affect support staff such as those in administrative services, housekeeping and food service.
Per the BBJ:
The decision comes nearly a year after parent organization Partners HealthCare signed an agreement with 1199SEIU to unionize some Partners hospitals. Partners signed the agreement to avoid a ballot question that would have regulated health care pricing.
Union officials wouldn’t say whether the unionization push at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner was related to the broader agreement with Partners, only saying both the agreement and the unionization effort were focused on similar goals of supporting hospital workers.
“This agreement is another important step in our ongoing advocacy to ensure all workers – including those not yet unionized – have good jobs, fair wages and respect, dignity and a voice in the workplace,” said Tyrek Lee, senior executive vice president of 1199SEIU, in a statement.
The hospital's president, Dr, Michal Gustafson, said in a statement that he would respect the workers' right to the vote, although he does not feel it necessary for them to unionize.
Visit the Boston Business Journal to read the full story.