(DUNKIRK) – 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU)-Represented Health Care Workers Will Hold an Informational Picket This Afternoon (Thursday, August 7th) Outside Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk to Draw Public Attention to Hospital Management’s Contract Proposals, Which Union-Represented Workers say are “Unacceptable” and Would Put Patient Care and the Northern Chautauqua County’s Economy in Jeopardy

1199 SEIU Healthcare Workers East-Represented Employees at Brooks Memorial Hospital Will Carry Out Their Informational Picketing Between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. (Photos Courtesy of 1199 SEIU). Union Representatives said the Aim of the Picket and a Rally – Which Will be Held at Nearby Washington Park Afterward, is for Area Residents to Understand What’s at Risk in the Current Contract Negotiations, Which are Being Assisted by a Federal Mediator.  Union Officials Stressed the Informational Picket is Not a Strike and That the Hospital’s Health Care Workers Will Take Part in the Action On Their Own Time, Not When They’re Scheduled to be Working On Shift.  In Addition, 1199 SEIU Representatives said No Services at the Hospital Would be Interrupted by the Picket.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Ellen Franklin, Who Also Serves as a Member of the 1199 SEIU Negotiating Committee, said: “The Employer’s Claiming They Have ‘Operating Losses’ in the Millions of Dollars and They Think the Hospital Budget Should be ‘Balanced On the Backs’ of the Employees.  That’s Just ‘Silly,’ Because the Hospital ‘Could Not Operate Without Us.’  We are the ‘Backbone.’  Without Caregivers and Health Care Workers, Brooks is Just a ‘Building.’  Furthermore, We Hold ‘No Responsibility’ for the ‘Financial Mess’ the Hospital Finds Itself in.  Brooks and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Administrators Appear to Have ‘Little Concern’ About Quality Care and Successful Patient Outcomes When it Comes to These Negotiations.  We’re Dealing With People – ‘Real People.’  They ‘Only See Dollar Signs.’”

Brooks Memorial Hospital Has an Affiliation With the Out-of-State University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) With the Hospital’s Top Three Administrators Connected to UPMC. 

Contract Negotiations With The Administration At Brooks Memorial Have Been Occurring Since March.  1199 SEIU Officials say That Even After an “Extraordinary Effort,” With the Assistance of a Federal Mediator, a Settlement Has Yet to be Reached. 

The Hospital’s Union-Represented Workers say Progress Has Been Slow Because Management’s Proposals are “Unacceptable,” Which Also Put at Risk Not Only Their Livelihoods, But the Health of the Local Economy and Quality Patient Care.

Rosie Calph, a Medical Records Clerk Who Has Been Employed at Brooks Memorial Hospital for More Than 26 Years, said: “We Believe That to ‘Protect and Improve’ the Quality of Health Care and the Local Economy Here in the Dunkirk Area, Health Care Workers Must Have Good, Secure Jobs With a ‘Decent Living Wage.’  We’re ‘Unwavering’ in Our Demand That Brooks Memorial Must be ‘Safely and Appropriately Staffed.’  We Hope the Hospital ‘Does the Right Thing’ for Our Community.”

Brooks Memorial Hospital Labor Assistant Crystal Ingram said: “Our Community ‘Doesn't Deserve’ This Sort of Treatment From These Administrators, Many From Pennsylvania.  Many of Us are Still Upset About the Loss of Our Carriage House.  We Care for ‘You’ and ‘Your Families’ When There’s an Illness or Injury.  We’re Neighbors, Friends and Family.  We Celebrate the Good Times And Mourn the Sad Times ‘Together.’  That’s How We’ve ‘Always’ Done It and That’s What ‘We Want’ for Our Future.  That’s Who We are.  What is UPMC’s Stake in Our Community Hospital, I Wonder.”

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the Largest and Fastest-Growing Health Care Union in the Nation.  The Union’s Mission is to Achieve Quality Care and Good Jobs for All.  1199 SEIU Represents More Than 14,500 Health Care Workers Throughout Western New York, and More Than 400,000 Members Across the States of New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida and Washington, D.C.

1199 SEIU Editor’s Note: For More Information on the Brooks Memorial Hospital Contract Negotiations and What it Means to the Northern Chautauqua County Community, Go to: www.wecareforourcommunity.org