Hospital workers picket to demand 'fair' contract, wages

Front-line workers braved the heat and picketed outside their hospitals Wednesday afternoon.

News 12 Staff

Aug 26, 2021, 9:26 PM

Updated 1,197 days ago

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Hospital workers in both the Bronx and Brooklyn are calling on the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes to provide what they say are fair contracts. 
Front-line workers braved the heat and picketed outside their hospitals Wednesday afternoon. 
St. Barnabas health care workers and their union 1199 SEIU demanded fair contracts with improved pay, benefits and insurance. 
In Brooklyn, front-line workers at Brookdale Hospital are also fighting for the same cause--demanding recognition for their hard work. 
"We have seen co-workers die, we have seen family members die, people in the community die,” said employee at Brookdale Hospital Elaine Raffington.
News 12 has reached out to the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes. They say they have been in contact with the union and respect their right to picketing. 
A spokesperson for the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes tells News 12, “We are committed to bargaining in good faith with the union to reach our shared goal: an agreement that is fair, reasonable, and responsible for all of us."
News 12 also reached both St. Barnabas and Brookdale Hospitals for comment and hasn’t heard back yet.