Despite an announcement last month that it would phase in a $15 per hour starting wage, UPMC saw a crowd of union protesters, students and some employees marching outside Montefiore Hospital in Oakland calling for more money and a union.
Several speakers urged the crowd to demand $15 and hour and “If we don’t get it—shut it down.”
Though some of the participants either walked off their jobs or did not report for their shifts to join the April 14 protest, UPMC issued a statement saying it would not intervene.
“We respect employees’ rights to engage in legally protected activities and will not prevent the participation of any employees who choose to join,” said spokesperson Gloria Kreps.
The rally was part of the nationwide “Fight for 15” effort by the Service Employees International Union to organize workers in entry-level positions. Students also railed against the University of Pittsburgh because it caps the number of hours students can work and primarily pays minimum wages.
Latasha Tabb, a medical assistant in the neurology department at Children’s Hospital, said the rally was about solidarity.
“I’m here to stand up with my co-workers to win $15 and a union,” she said. “We want to make Pittsburgh a livable city, not just for those who can afford it, but for everyone.”
James Threatt, a patient care technician, said he and his fellow workers deserve a respectable wage.
“We’re here to have a voice, to have the decency, dignity and respect that comes with a good wage and a union,” he said. “That’s what we want, and we’re not going to stop until we get what we want.”
Pamela Banks, who has worked as a medical assistant at UPMC Children’s for 15 years, said all the employees need to stand together.
“We deserve more than crumbs. We deserve a fair wage to live off of,” she said. “I’m here for all my coworkers who can’t be here today.”
Nila Payton, who has worked for UPMC as a receptionist for 10 years went even further.
“We are striking in protest of UPMC’s unlawful interference with our union rights so that we can have a seat at the table to make UPMC truly responsive to hospital workers, our patients and our community,” she said.
“Pittsburgh is a city of people who stand up for ourselves and the raises we won are only a first step in holding UPMC accountable to our city. Hospital workers and the people of Pittsburgh won’t stop fighting until we’ve won a voice on the job, adequate staffing and access to affordable care for every patient. To win our union and help make our city as strong as we know it can be, we need UPMC to stop violating our rights.”
In addition to the rally in Oakland, hospital and fast food workers also rallied earlier in the day at the City County Building and at the McDonalds on the North Side.
Chris Ellis, who said he makes just $8 per hour after 10 years in the fast food industry, said McDonalds sets the benchmark for industry wages.
“McJobs cost us all,” he said. “McDonald’s is a symbol of everything that is wrong with our economy. It doesn’t matter where we work, McDonald’s holds us all back and influences what we are paid and how we are treated. The Fight for $15 is about all workers because we are all affected by McDonald’s global race to the bottom.”
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