Business & Tech
Melrose-Wakefield Hospital Workers to Picket Thursday
Workers to picket hospital as contract talks stall.
Healthcare workers at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital will stage a picket at the main entrance on Thursday, April 10 beginning at 2:15 p.m.
The proposed takeover of Melrose-Wakefield Hospital by Partners HealthCare system has workers at Melrose-Wakefield protesting management tactics in recent contract negotiations, according to a press release issued by the United Healthcare Workers union.
“In response to efforts by management to extract concessions specifically from lower-paid workers who are newer to the hospital, healthcare workers are escalating their campaign by taking public action this week,” the release says.
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The release goes on to say that hospital executives are proposing a “two-track” wage and benefit system that would compromise the future of jobs and care at the hospital.
Additionally, workers also say management is not dealing fairly with workers at a time when Melrose-Wakefield and its parent organization Hallmark Health System, along with its future potential owner Partners Healthcare, are enjoying well-documented financial success, the release says.
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