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Hundreds of union and non-union hospital workers and their supporters rallied on Thursday, May 8 in the Longwood Medical Area of Boston for the free and fair union elections for all Boston hospital workers. Following previous heavily publicized endorsements from Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the Boston City Council, and Ben Affleck, hospital workers received another major boost at Thursday's event from national recording artists Dropkick Murphys, who performed at the rally to show their support. The Area Trades Council, the Greater Labor Council, IBEW 103 and other local unions joined the rally as well.

Historically, Boston hospital administrators have spent scarce patient care dollars on fear and intimidation campiagns against their own staff when they have tried to form unions in the past. Hospital workers and their supporters are now urging Massachusetts hospital employers to commit to a free and fair union election code of conduct, under which caregivers would be free to mkae up their own minds about forming a union, free from management intimidation and coercion, under fair secret ballot voting conditions.

• View a slideshow below of photos from the day (Flash required):

Dropkick Murphys, one of Boston's most popular bands, whose songs are best known in Massachusetts as the soundtrack to the Boston Redsox World Series victory drives, played for caregivers from all area hospitals. Rallying under the slogan, "Be fair to those who care," Boston caregivers hope to join together with 1199SEIU to improve not only their own lives, but the quality of care for patients as well.

• Read coverage by the Boston Herald (PDF)
• Read coverage by the Boston Metro (PDF)
• Read coverage by the Boston Globe White Coat Notes (PDF)
• See photo by the Jewish Advocate (PDF)
• Read article on Open Media Boston
• Watch news coverge by NECN:

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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.

On Thursday, 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.

     

Massachusetts Nurses Association and 1199SEIU unite
with Jobs with Justice to present Grinch prize to grumpy CEO

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center CEO Paul Levy has been crowned "Grinch of the Year" by online voters who participated in an contest promoted by Massachusetts Jobs with Justice, a local coalition of labor, religious, and community groups that advocates for improving job standards for working families. Thousands of votes were cast in the poll which was hosted on the Massachusetts Jobs with Justice website.

On Monday, December 10, non-union hospital workers joined members of 1199SEIU, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, and Jobs with Justice activists to deliver the coveted "Grinch" award to Levy's office, high above the bustling streets and buildings of the Longwood medical area.

Around 4:15 p.m., hospital officials refused the caregivers access to present Levy his award. The advocates were then told Levy would not come down to the lobby to be recognized for his accomplishment. The CEO's prize included a hardcover copy of the beloved children's classic by Dr. Seuss, in which the Grinch plots against residents of Whoville from his mountaintop lair before a young child from the town below helps him grow a heart and change his ways. Levy's unclaimed copy of the book will be donated to the Boston Public Library children's department.

Following two years of anti-worker ranting and unhinged public commentary opposing the right of caregivers to vote in free and fair union elections, Levy edged out his competition for the top "Grinch" prize, which included nominees like former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Boston socialite/Verizon bigwig Sandra Moose.

The hospital boss has come under fire from caregivers, advocates and even some of his fellow bloggers for refusing to make a legally binding commitment that his executives won't threaten or coerce workers during secret ballot union elections at Beth Israel Deaconess.

On Sunday, December 2, in the Longwood Medical area of Boston, Mass., over 100 parents and children were led by the fifth grade class of the Workmen's Circle Jewish Sunday School in a demonstration of support for health care workers at Boston Area hospitals. They delivered letters asking hospital CEOs Gary Gottlieb of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Paul Levy of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center to formally pledge not to intimidate or harass employees who want to form unions through free and fair secret ballot elections.

• View PDF of print media coverage

Pictures from the event

1199SEIU is a democratic union run by health care workers who are elected by their peers. On Thursday, September 20, over 200 of the union's elected health care leaders fanned out across Boston's Longwood Medical area at midday and distributed 7,000 leaflets to their non-union colleagues, patients and other members of the public.

Read the leaflet that the health care workers distributed (PDF).