Caregivers Picket Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz for Fair Contract
Editorial StaffCaregivers Demand Fair Contract at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz
On September 18, the outpatient rehabilitation center workers at Dominican Hospital staged a picket to demand a fair contract that would help retain employees and provide the best possible care for Santa Cruz residents.
Over two dozen caregivers, including occupational therapists, speech therapists, and physical therapists, have been working without a contract since the end of May. Dominican outsourced the facility's operation to Kindred in 2016, a company that runs hospitals and rehabilitation centers nationwide. Under Kindred’s management, the rehab center has offered below-market wages, struggling to hire and retain staff. The workers are advocating for better pay and more time off to reduce turnover and maintain a dedicated workforce.
“We are committed to meeting the needs of our patients recovering from severe injuries,” said Michele Koch, a physical therapist at the center. “Our center provides a crucial service to the people of Santa Cruz, and we hope Dominican and Kindred will offer competitive wages so we can be fully staffed and provide the best care to our community.”
The picket line saw strong participation from workers chanting: “What do we want? Fair wages! When do we want them? Now!”
“It was great to stand alongside all my colleagues, advocating for each other and keeping specialized therapy within our local community,” said Lilly Sell, a physical therapist at the center. “Our determination has never been stronger to secure a contract that honors the work of our therapists and ensures our patients receive the care they need.”
The post Trabajadores realizan piquete en el Hospital Dominican de Santa Cruz appeared first on NUHW.
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