“Mercy Health is doing very well financially but still is demanding workers do more with less,” said Al Bacon, secretary treasurer of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) District 1199, the union which represents Mercy Health workers, in a release.
According to the union, Mercy Health’s CEO Michael Connelly is taking over $2 million in compensation.
“Why does Mercy Health think it is okay to take from working families, when hospital executives live in extreme wealth off the labor of the workers? It’s not right, it’s not fair and that’s why workers are fighting back,” Bacon said.
Workers at Springfield Regional Medical Center in Springfield and Mercy McAuley Care Center in Urbana are negotiating a union contract “that preserves quality care and services for their patients as well as protects their dignity, rights and respect on the job.”
According to the union, Mercy Health is seeking its workers forfeit their extended illness banks and give back their paid time off which they use when they are sick or need to take time off from work.
Nanette Bentley, director of public relations for Mercy Health — Cincinnati, said in an emailed statement:
“Our colleagues at Community Mercy Health Partners have been negotiating in good faith with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) since December. The goal is to reach consensus on a collective bargaining agreement.
SEIU has chosen to conduct an informational picket outside our location today.We recognize the union’s right to picket there lawfully and will continue to negotiate in good faith towards an agreement.”
SEIU District 1199 represents nearly 1,600 workers at Mercy Health facilities across Ohio, including nearly 500 workers at Springfield Regional Medical Center and Mercy McAuley Center.
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