Great rally in Boston's Longwood Medical Area for free and fair elections with Dropkick Murphys!
Hundreds of supporters, hospital workers and union members rallied on May 8 for free and fair union elections for all Boston hospital workers. Special musical guests Dropkick Murphys performed at the rally to show their support for hospital workers, along with the IBEW 103 Bagpipe Band and Haitian percussion band Blem Sou Blem. The rally was supported by the Area Trades Council, the Greater Boston Labor Council, IBEW 103 and other local unions. Read more...
- Read coverage by the Boston Herald (PDF)
- Read coverage by the Boston Metro (PDF)
- Read coverage by the Boston Globe White Coat Notes (PDF)
- Read article on Open Media Boston
- View a photo slideshow of images from the rally
- Watch news coverge by NECN below (Flash required):
FairUnionElections.org over the Boston Marathon
During the Boston Marathon, a plane flew overhead with a message to Boston hospital executives: "Be Fair to Those Who Care!" Did you see this banner and want to learn more? Call 617-284-1142 for information on how you can help support the campaign.
Hospital workers leaflet during Red Sox opening day
On April 8, hospital workers joined 1199SEIU members to distribute free scorecards outside a crowded Fenway Park on Red Sox opening day. The scorecards explained why Boston hospital workers are coming together for free and fair union elections, and were well-received by Sox fans. Read more...
Former BIDMC employee speaks out in the Boston Herald
A former skilled maintainance employee of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center spoke out in a Boston Herald ad (4/4/08) about his experience when workers at his hospital tried to form a union.
"I was proud of my hospital -- until they treated their own workers as enemies.
During my job interview, I was asked if I had ever been in a union. The director explained BIDMC is a non-union hospital. He made it obvious then and most days after that he didn't want employees who would think of joining together as a union." Read more...
Non-union hospital workers and 1199SEIU leaflet at Beth Israel Deaconess
On February 28, non-union hospital workers joined 1199SEIU to leaflet in and around Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, talking to workers about Free and Fair union elections. Read more...
Why we're unionizing: in our own words
"Working in the department of nursing should automatically quality us for some of the benefits that the nurses receive. For example, safe staffing levels, and by all means an increase in our wages."
"Security will show up to stop us from having a voice on the job and to protect the hospital's public image but not to protect their employees' safety. That is just wrong."
Read more from hospital workers.
Greater Boston Labor Council letter to hospital board members
The Greater Boston Labor Council represents 90,000 union members in the Boston area. Rich Rogers, head of the Council, recently wrote a letter to hospital board members urging them to begin a new relationship with workers at Boston hospitals. Read his full letter (PDF).
Read other recent news & press...
1199SEIU: We make healthcare better.