Healthcare workers at Saint Anne’s Hospital vote to join Massachusetts union

Fall River (December 13, 2018) – Healthcare workers announced that about 800 employees at Saint Anne’s Hospital have voted to join 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

With the vote, 796 Saint Anne’s healthcare employees working in the service, skilled maintenance, technical, and business office clerical units will join the Massachusetts’ healthcare union. This includes certified nursing assistants, dietary employees, pharmacy techs, lab techs, environmental services and general maintenance workers, among others.

“We’re excited about this vote enabling nearly 800 employees at Saint Anne’s Hospital to join 1199SEIU,” said Tim Foley, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. “Our mission is to ensure high quality affordable care for patients and quality jobs for employees. Today’s vote is a win not only for employees, patients, and the hospital but also for Fall River. The hospital is integral to Fall River’s economy, and this win creates a pathway to economic prosperity for workers and their families.”

“This vote is a great victory for workers and patients and all of us who care about Saint Anne’s,” said Kerri Ingham, who works as a radiation therapist at Saint Anne’s Hospital. “We all love and are committed to Saint Anne’s and to its patients, and this vote is an important step to ensure we continue to have a strong voice on the job and access to new training and education opportunities – which will ultimately enhance patient care.”

Last January, 1199SEIU negotiated a crucial agreement with Steward Health Care ensuring that all of its union members – about 5,000 total – working at the health system will make at least $15 an hour as of October 31, 2019. 1199SEIU’s members at Saint Anne’s are expected to become a part of the system-wide bargaining set for January. System-wide bargaining will be interest-based, highlighting a significant partnership by 1199 and Steward to reach agreements on shared interests that enrich community-based care across Massachusetts.

1199SEIU Massachusetts members work at Steward Health Care at Saint Anne’s Hospital (Fall River), Carney Hospital (Dorchester), Good Samaritan Medical Center (Brockton), Norwood Hospital, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center (Brighton), Morton Hospital (Taunton), Holy Family Hospital at Haverhill, Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, and Nashoba Valley Medical Center (Ayer).