Caregivers at Dominican Hospital Picket for Fair Contract and Better Wages
Editorial StaffSanta Cruz Caregivers Demand Fair Contract Outside Dominican Hospital
On September 18, caregivers from Dominican Hospital’s outpatient rehabilitation center staged a picket to advocate for a fair contract aimed at retaining staff and delivering optimal care to the local community.
Among the more than two dozen caregivers participating were occupational therapists, speech therapists, and physical therapists, all of whom have been working without a contract since late May. In 2016, the facility's operation was outsourced to Kindred, a company known for running hospitals and rehabilitation centers nationwide. Under Kindred’s management, the center has faced challenges with offering competitive wages, resulting in difficulties in staff recruitment and retention. Workers are now pushing for better pay and increased time off to help reduce turnover and maintain a committed workforce.
“We’re committed to meeting the needs of our patients, who are recovering from serious injuries,” stated Michele Koch, a physical therapist at the center. “Our center provides a critical service for the people of Santa Cruz, and we expect Dominican and Kindred to provide competitive salaries so that we can be fully staffed and provide the best care for our community.”
The picket saw enthusiastic participation, with workers chanting slogans like, “What do we want! Fair wages! When do we want them? Now!”
“It was great to stand beside all my colleagues, advocating for each other and for keeping specialized therapy in our local community,” said Lilly Sell, also a physical therapist at the center. “Our resolve has never been stronger to win a contract that honors our therapists' work and ensures that our patients get the care they need.”
The post Caregivers picket Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz appeared first on NUHW.
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