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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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