Norwalk Hospital food workers call off strike after winning ‘groundbreaking’ contract, union says

The Hour – Friday, November 22, 2024
By Kalleen Rose Ozanic

NORWALK — Morrison Healthcare food service workers at Norwalk Hospital called off an impending strike after “successful negotiation of a groundbreaking” contract.

The Connecticut Health Care Associates District 1199, National Union of Hospital & Health Care Employees called off the strike on Friday, just days before the planned Monday strike that could have affected the hospital over the Thanksgiving holiday.

“This agreement is nothing short of historic,” said Dave Hannon, president of CHCA District 1199, NUHHCE. “These workers stood together in solidarity and refused to accept the disrespect and broken promises that have defined their experience. Today, they have secured a brighter future for themselves and their families.”

The new contract provides an average 22 percent pay increase for the employees who overwhelmingly voted to unionize last August when only three ballots cast opposed its formation.

Hannon said last year, before the employees unionized, that most of the food workers were making close to minimum wage.

The “15 most egregiously underpaid workers (received) immediate increases between 40 (percent) and 70 (percent),” a Friday CHCA NUHHCE statement said.

The contract also provides reductions in health benefit costs; a new employer retirement contribution match; guaranteed overtime pay after eight working hours in a day; more vacation and holiday time off; workplace improvements; and establishing just cause as the standard for disciplinary actions, the statement said.

The workers’ unfair labor practice charge against Morrison is pending, despite their contract win, the statement said.

“These workers have inspired their community and shown what is possible when people stand together against injustice,” Hannon said. “We thank our elected leaders, community members, and all those who supported these workers during this fight.”

CHCA said this fall that Attorney General William Tong, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, and state representatives for Norwalk, Travis Simms, Dominique Johnson, Kadeem Roberts, and Lucy Dathan, all expressed support for the union drive.

Connecticut Health Care Associates District 1199 was founded in 1976 and represents about 3,000 health care workers in the state.

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