"Put the heart back in healthcare," demand GWU Hospital workers

On Valentine’s Day, George Washington University Hospital workers and their supporters urged their boss to "put the heart back in healthcare." The workers are represented by 1199SEIU and their contract, which covers 150 housekeeping and dietary hospital employees, expired over a year ago. "There is nothing wrong with workers asking for a living wage," said D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson. "There is something wrong when a for-profit hospital is trying to make a profit off the backs of its workers. Have a heart GW." Despite a 20-year history with the union, the hospital recently decided that negotiations should start from scratch and requested that every article of the contract be renegotiated, further stalling a final agreement. Recently, the hospital also decided to stop deducting union dues from the workers. “The hospital needs to do what’s right for its employees, patients, and the community,” said shop steward Calvin Christian.
photo credit Megan Fitzgerald