CLEVELAND — Union workers at Cleveland Clinic Lutheran Hospital say they are fed up with unfair labor practices.
They voted to go on strike at the end of July amid contract negotiations.
"There is just not equity and equality here at Lutheran Hospital," said Vanessa Dalesandro, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1199 director.
The workers impacted include licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, maintenance workers and housekeepers to name a few.
"This is a hospital system that claims to be the best hospital around, yet they treat people like garbage," Dalesandro said.
She claimed the union caregivers are discriminated against, deprived of benefits that other non-union employees get. That includes paid maternity leave, retirement and employer-paid disability, among others.
The union said it has filed over two dozen unfair labor practice charges against the hospital.
3News reached out to the Cleveland Clinic for comment. A spokesperson sent this statement:
"We continue our good faith efforts in negotiations with the bargaining unit at Lutheran Hospital. We recently had two bargaining sessions and will again meet this Friday. Our goal is to achieve a mutually agreeable contract renewal as we have in years past. Cleveland Clinic appreciates the loyalty and care provided by every one of its caregivers at Lutheran Hospital."
SEIU members plan to picket outside Cleveland Clinic Lutheran Hospital Wednesday afternoon.
Both sides are scheduled to meet back at the bargaining table on August 18.
On Wednesday morning, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), U.S. Representatives Shontel Brown (D-OH-11) and Emilia Sykes (D-OH-13), Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne wrote a joint letter to the leadership at Cleveland Clinic’s Lutheran Hospital, "urging them to work to reach an equitable agreement with the workers at the Lutheran Hospital as soon as possible."
“Like you, these workers care deeply about the health of their community and are committed to ensuring patients get the best possible care," the letter, which can be read in full here, reads. "We urge you to find a way toward reaching a fair and equitable agreement in a timely manner, and we will continue to encourage SEIU leadership to do the same. We appreciate your time and attention to this matter, as well as the Clinic’s leadership and partnership on many issues, and look forward to continued work with you and your team to serve the health care needs of Ohioans."
