Health care workers, L+M management at impasse in contract talks [The Day, New London, Conn.]

Day, The (New London, CT)

Jan. 7--NEW LONDON -- Unionized health care workers at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital said Friday they've reached an impasse in contract negotiations with hospital management, charging it refuses to offer them a living wage and affordable health insurance.

"They're trying to bully us into a corner," said Connie Fields, president of Local 5123 of AFT Connecticut, which represents some 900 low-wage employees. "What they're offering is not a living wage. It's scary and disheartening. I expect better from them."

Fields said the two sides last met Dec. 20, at which time management called for union leadership to put the hospital's offer to a vote of union members.

"Why vote on something we know won't work for us?" Fields said.

In a written statement Friday, Patrick Green, L+M's president and chief executive officer, acknowledged the hospital has been unable to reach an agreement with the health care workers after many months of negotiations. L+M's contract with the union expired June 30, 2022.

"AFT Local 5123 has chosen to stop negotiating and has now declared an impasse," Green said. "We are disappointed that the union has taken this position, yet to ensure the fair treatment of our valued staff in the Local 5123 unit, the Hospital is taking the unprecedented step of implementing the last offer we made in negotiations."

Green said the offer will provide union members with wage increases, participation in an incentive bonus plan "and, for many, market adjustments and a lower cost health plan option." He said the package is similar to those ratified last month by two other AFT unions at L+M, Local 4049, which represents about 640 nurses, and Local 5051, which represents some 250 medical technologists.

"In presenting the offer to Local 5123 leadership, we believed it would benefit our health care workers although it was never presented to those employees for an opportunity to vote," Green said.

Fields said management's contract offer increases starting pay for some positions from $15 an hour to $15.50 an hour. Although that represents a 3.3% increase, it's hardly sufficient, she said. The union initially had pushed for $17 an hour.

"It's concerning that they continue to make it seem like they're giving us a great offer," Fields said. "It's not. Starting pay at Costco, Target and for certain jobs at Walmart are better. And we're taking care of patients. Nursing homes are paying $18 to start."

Fields said many union members can't afford L+M health insurance premiums of $66 a week.

"We have a food bank in the hospital for employees and it is utilized," she said. "To use it, you have to get a key from the front desk, with a security camera watching. It's embarrassing."

Health care worker job categories include food and nutrition, housekeeping, linen services, patient transport, stock clerks, drivers and messengers, groundskeepers and radiology tech aides.

"What it comes down to is the cost of living went up 8.3% last year, and we worked during COVID, dealing day to day with patients, and we haven't been compensated for any of it," said union member Angelina Frascarelli, a radiology coordinator.

Craig Dysart, a mental health care worker and union vice president and chief steward, questioned whether management has negotiated in good faith.

"I think they planned on low-balling us all along and keeping it (wages) at a low number," he said. "They're not going to help the staffing crisis or retain employees by not offering a livable wage. To me, during negotiations, their attitude was, 'This is all we have to offer, take it or leave it. It's not going to get any higher.'"

In December, union members complained that management was withholding their year-end bonuses in a bid to force a contract settlement.

"The hospital knows we can't afford to strike," Dysart said.

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