Healthcare workers petition University of Utah Health
Sep 25, 2024, 4:00 PM
SALT LAKE CITY — Members of Utah Health Care Workers United want to see change. They’ve gathered over 2,000 signatures on a petition asking University of Utah Health hospitals and clinics to address a number of issues related to worker welfare.
Specifically, they’ve asked U of U Health to address income disparities, increase parental leave, paid time off, and sick days. They also want affordable parking for employees.
University of Utah Health employees want transparent wages, sick leave
Jessica Stauffer, a nurse, said that senior workers have been forced to train new employees who get paid the same amount.
“Staff are very upset, overall. They are noticing what’s going on and it’s very hard to get a transparent wage set up,” said Stauffer. “But what we’re finding is the senior staff aren’t being paid appropriately for their years. [The hospital is] hiring new staff and training them instead of maintaining … senior employees.”
Ian Decker, a food services employee, said U of U Health’s current sick leave policy is causing workers to go in while they are sick.
“So right now we are allowed five days within a calendar year, where we can call in last minute and if we can’t find a replacement that gets added onto that five. Once we hit six, we begin undertaking disciplinary action,” said Decker. “What that means is that if you’re able to walk, regardless of you are [sick], you typically come into work because you never know [if] you’re going to get [more] sick.”
Unionizing at University of Utah Health
The group of healthcare workers is asking for a separate bank for sick days and paid time off.
According to Decker, they’re also asking to be recognized as a union.
“I really hope that they come around on this position and decide to meet with us. We are a union and we’re going to act like one. We want you to sit down with us and negotiate with us,” said Decker.
“If you do this, we’ll do so happily and readily. But the staff here are extremely resilient and determined. [They] are serious about standing up for ourselves and our patients, and if you only give us one path ie: forcing you to sit down with us, we will take it and do the work necessary.”
U of U Health responds
In an email to KSL Newsradio, University of Utah Health responded.
“At University of Utah Health, we value open dialogue and are happy to engage with employees who have concerns about their work environment. As a preferred employer, we take care of one another just as we take care of our patients.”
The statement continued by saying that in 2024, every employee received an annual pay increase. Full and part-time employees who work in manager-level positions or lower received a parking stipend.
Additionally, they “regularly” review local and national data on compensation to ensure they are offering competitive pay.
U of U Health said that it “cannot formally recognize organizations for collective bargaining purposes.” However, the organization is committed to collaborative efforts, listening, and transparency.
“Retaining our talented care teams is a top priority. We regularly engage with them to better understand and meet their needs. There are avenues for employees to meet with leadership on an individual basis to discuss ideas or concerns,” read the statement.
