Shelburne Road in South Burlington, Saturday. AFT photo.
Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, dozens of Hospice workers, volunteers, community members and elected officials held a “Honk and Wave” protest outside of UVM Health Offices on Shelburne Road to build community support and awareness for their ongoing union contract negotiations. An AFT statement said they were "met with overwhelming support. Despite the cold temperatures, spirits were high as cars honked and drivers waved."
“Many of us work in the community, attending to patients in their homes, so it's been really powerful to gather and hear one another's experiences," reflected community RN Carrie Steele, speaking to the crowd. “We love our jobs. But we also want this work to be sustainable.”
Six months ago, workers at UVM Home Health and Hospice voted overwhelmingly (88%) to form a union. Hospice United now represents over 100 Nurses, LNAs, Social Workers, Chaplains, Bereavement Coordinators, Volunteers Coordinators, Cooks, and Admin Support workers.
“We’re organizing for a fair contract, so we can continue to provide the quality patient care that our community deserves,” said Lindsay Gerdeman, APRN Hospice Nurse Practitioner and Hospice United bargaining team member. After ten bargaining sessions, management at UVM Health Network has yet to move on on key priorities including: clear staffing ratios as demand for Hospice care grows in Vermont, pay equity with other parts of the Health Network, safety protections for night shift workers, job security as UVM Health evolves, and respect for the uniquely interdisciplinary nature of the work.
“It feels great to be out here surrounded by our community because at the end of the day that’s who this contract is for,” said Briana Kolhbrenner, Volunteer Coordinator with UVMHHH and Hospice United bargaining team member. “We’re negotiating not just for ourselves, but for our patients, for their families, and for the future of UVM Home Health and Hospice."
Negotiations will resume in January.
Hospice United represents over 100 Nurses, LNAs, Social Workers, Chaplains, Bereavement Coordinators, Volunteers Coordinators, Cooks, and Admin Supports at UVM Home Health and Hospice.
AFT Vermont represents over 11,000 healthcare and higher education professionals at the Central Vermont Medical Center, UVM Medical Center, University of Vermont, the Vermont State University, Bennington College, Porter Medical Center, Community Health Centers of Burlington, Planned Parenthood of NNE and Brattleboro Medical Center. https://AFTVermont.org
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