Dive Brief:
- According to a news report in the Baltimore Sun, about 2,000 service workers at Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Hospital may strike today.
- The workers, who are members of the labor union 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, plan to strike for three days if hospital officials don't agree to a wage increase of up to 40% for about 20 employees, plus more modest raises in the 18% range for other workers.
- The hospital told the Sun that it's trying to reach a settlement that's fair to everyone and reflects financial responsibility on the part of the institution.
Dive Insight:
The SEIU has been very active in hospitals of late, including actions at UPMC Altoona, and a massive action last December where it keyed up 6,000 employees at 18 California hospitals for a strike over nurse staffing ratios. Unfortunately, neither side—hospital leaders or unions—seem to really understand each other, so It's likely that there will be many more union/hospital disputes and strike threats.