UMass Memorial labor union signals possible strike amid contract negotiations

Photo I Courtesy of UFCW Local 1445 UFCW Local 1445 members rallied May 27 at UMass Memorial Medical Center.

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The labor union for nearly 1,100 workers at UMass Memorial Medical Center has threatened to strike as the union is under contract negotiations with the Worcester hospital system on issues including compensation, staffing levels, and employee protection.

The United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1445 announced in a Saturday press release it will be ready to strike come June 9 if ongoing contract negotiations do not lead to a meaningful step forward.

UMass Memorial Health, the Worcester-based operator of UMMC, has stated it respects the union’s right to strike as the system remains dedicated to finding a resolution.

“Last week, during ongoing contract negotiations, UFCW Local 1445 issued a strike notice to UMass Memorial Medical Center. We respect the rights of UFCW Local 1445 to issue a strike notice and are committed to working with them in good faith toward a fair and equitable contract that recognizes our caregivers’ contributions and further invests in their wellbeing and professional growth,” UMass Memorial wrote in an email to WBJ.

The union, which represents employees including housekeepers, food service workers, and laboratory staff, is seeking resolutions to five key outstanding issues, the UFCW bargaining committee wrote in an email to WBJ:

1. Fixed wages: The union says hospital management holds too much leeway to decide what counts as experience, stating many long-term employees are hardly compensated more than new hires.

2. Wage increases: The union says the hospital does not provide wage increases in line with inflation.

3. Insurance: The union says the hospital is transitioning workers to health insurance with less coverage.

4. Outsourcing: The union says the hospital has been outsourcing employees for years, including those in food service and housekeeping.

5. New technology: The union says the hospital is looking to automate many employee jobs, such as deploying checkout kiosks in cafeterias, and states UMass Memorial is looking to remove language from the contract that allows the union to bargain over new technology proposals.

“UMass Management is used to stretching bargaining months past the contract expiration date, and it’s clear they expect this round to be no different. Our members have sent a clear message that they are not going to stand for this, or for being nickled and dimed while our job protections are stripped away,” said the bargaining committee in its email.

The hospital has scheduled at least two bargaining sessions with UFCW this week, including one on Monday morning.

The hospital said it intended to continue service with limited disturbance if union staff do choose to walk out.

“Should the union strike, we are prepared to maintain hospital operations and ensure all patients can access the high-quality care they need with minimal disruption,” wrote UMass Memorial.

The UFCW’s contract is set to expire on Sunday, and the union will vote on the contract the hospital’s bargaining team offers on Friday.

“We remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement before expiration, but we will need to see that management takes our concerns seriously,” said the bargaining committee.

Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.