Teamsters March to Support Health Care Workers

Chicago Hospital Threatens Members’ Rights, Patient Safety

Teamsters across metropolitan Chicago took to the picket line on Saturday, May 21, 2011, in support of workers fighting to reclaim their union certification at RML Specialty Hospital.

The Chicago health care provider stripped union rights and benefits away from nearly 100 members of Teamsters Local 743 earlier this year. The hospital, which tends to patients with complex medical conditions, has forced burdensome workloads and schedules onto employees by squashing their union protections and regulations.

“RML is not only attacking its health care workers, but disrespecting its own patients and jeopardizing their health and safety,” said Donnie Von Moore, Local 743 President. “When workers are given an unreasonable number of patients to care for, it puts every facet of the health care community at risk, in and outside of the hospital.”

Von Moore added, “Without union protections, these workers are unable to speak out.”

Members of Teamsters Local 700, Teamsters Local 703, the Chicago Teamsters Hispanic Caucus, the Chicago Chapter of the Teamsters National Black Caucus and other local affiliates have rallied behind the embattled workers. Pickets outside RML on Chicago’s West Side saw additional support for a new Teamster contract from several community advocates. ARISE Chicago, Jobs With Justice and Community Advocates for Viable Employment joined the Teamsters to protest management’s actions.

Although Local 743 previously filed unfair labor practices charges against RML over the decertification, workers will be participating in a new election to reclaim their Teamster membership on June 9, 2011.

“All workers have a right to stand up, to stand together, to protect themselves,” Von Moore said. “The Teamsters will make sure that can never be stripped away.”

Teamsters Local 743 is an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25, which represents more than 100,000 hardworking men and women throughout Illinois and Indiana.

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