The controversy swirling around today’s vote on the East End Hospital was a major topic of discussion at last night’s meeting of the Metro Washington Council. The attempt by UHC and Vincent Gray to ram through a new, nonunion hospital that would freeze out Howard medical students outraged local union members gathered at what’s normally a festive end-of-year gathering (though Saul Schniderman did lead a spirited rendition of “Rudolph the Union Reindeer”). “We need to ensure good quality union jobs at the new hospital,” 1199 SEIU’s Yahnae Barner told delegates. “Your calls and emails will make the difference, just like it did at Providence,” added 1199 SEIU’s Djawa Hall. Click here for east-to-use contact info. Also key are full health care services at the new hospital, said DCNA’s Ed Smith, “equal to those in Northwest,” and access to Howard University doctors at the new hospital.