Hospital EVS Staff Continue to Strike

Contract negotiations continue tomorrow between service workers and hospital officials at Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington West Virginia, MetroNews reports. Environmental services (EVS) staff are among the almost 1,000 service workers who went on strike November 3 seeking continued health care coverage, wage increases, and improved staff safety measures.

Negotiations stalled earlier this month when union representatives turned down the hospital’s offer. Representatives with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1199 say the hospital’s wage offer is a 10% cut, which union members can’t afford. Hospital officials are asking the employees to contribute a small percentage (less than 5%) of the total cost of the health insurance for themselves and their dependents.

Both sides are optimistic they can come to an agreement when negotiations continue. In the meantime, hospital service workers plan to continue manning the picket line 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by Cabell County Circuit Court will remain in place for the picket line through December 10.

The court issued the TRO to provide an appropriate environment to hospital patients and their families. The order limits the number of workers on the picket line to eight during the day and four overnight. Quiet hours on the picket line are from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Bull horns and air horns are not allowed at any time.

Union representatives say the order has not changed anything as their members have not been disruptive.