Pickets To Stage Hospital Protests

According to Bruce Lane, an organizer with Local 1199 Health & Human Services Union, the picketing follows hospital managements breaking off of talks with the union.
The labor troubles have been simmering for weeks at the hospitals and led to brief work stoppages by emergency room nurses and pharmacists. The union charged that part-timers were replacing full-time employees so that the Hospital could avoid paying benefits.
The union spokesperson said that Jamaica Hospitals pharmacists are "the lowest paid in the city."
Lane said he expected city council and state assembly representatives to join the picketing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the hospitals.
A Jamaica Hospital spokesperson said negotiations were ongoing with 1199 and through the League of Voluntary Hospitals.
He said the Hospital expected the disagreement to be settled.
The union spokesperson said that contract negotiations are not scheduled until October.