(RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK) - Close to 600 Unionized Caregivers employed at the Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead are fighting for a fair contract.

After months of negotiations where management has not agreed to the Health Care Workers’ demand for equal pay for equal work - comparable to what their colleagues earn doing the exact same jobs at other Northwell Institutions, the Caregivers picketed the hospital earlier this week. 

1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East President George Gresham said: “As the largest private employer in New York State, Northwell Health can well afford to pay all their Workers fairly. Why are the dedicated Caregivers at Peconic Bay Medical Center being treated like second-class Workers by management? They are carrying out the same work with the same job titles as their colleagues at other Northwell Hospitals right here on Long Island but being paid significantly less.  This disparate treatment must end - and a fair contract must be signed, now.” 

Peconic Bay, a 182-bed hospital in Riverhead, is part of Northwell Health which is New York State’s largest Health Care Provider and private employer.

Many Riverhead Workers currently earn lower hourly wages than similar positions at other Northwell facilities on Long Island, Union Officials said. 

Isaiah Santiago, who has worked in environmental services since 2019, said: “We were there with our patients when they needed us the most. We did not stay home to take care of our families and ‘shelter in place.’ We went to work to take care of our community and do what needed to be done. We were essential. We are now asking hospital management to stop undervaluing our sacrifices and commitment–and simply pay us just like they pay other Northwell Staff.”

The Union contract originally expired in November and both parties agreed to extend it through January 10th, but the dedicated Nursing Assistants, Transporters, Housekeepers, Dietary Staff, Secretaries and others are now working without a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Peconic Bay Workers Demand Equal Pay for Equal Work

Photo Courtesy Of 1199 SEIU Healthcare Workers’ East Facebook Page.