Hospital Housekeepers Strike for Wages and Safety Protections

Environmental services (EVS) workers were among the approximately 2,000 Cedars-Sinai Medical Center employees who went on strike early yesterday morning seeking higher wages and better safety protections at the Los Angeles hospital, NBC4-TV reports.

The workers, members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU)- United Healthcare Workers West, have planned a five-day strike after unsuccessfully bargaining with hospital management over a new labor contract since March 21.

The union contends the hospital has not bargained in good faith and has not fairly reimbursed workers for their service. They say workers are making less than US$20 an hour after working at the hospital for more than 15 years.

In addition, workers are concerned about the hospital’s safety practices. Independent consumer health care watchdog, the Leapfrog group, recently issued Cedars-Sinai a hospital safety grade of D, down from the hospital’s previous safety rating of C.

The union specifically cited the hospital’s below average grades in in infection control. Union leaders are seeking several safety provisions such as personal protective equipment (PPE) stockpiles and COVID-19 exposure notifications.

Hospital representatives say the union has not responded to hospital management’s latest offer.

“During lengthy bargaining sessions, it became clear to us that union leaders never intended to reach agreement with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on a new contract without a strike,” said Thomas M. Priselac, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center President and CEO in a statement. “This was made clearer to us over the weekend when the union broke off negotiations without ever responding to our latest offer and instead decided to proceed with its strike.”

Union members say they will picket until Friday evening unless a contract agreement is reached earlier.