Protesting union-busting at Chase Brexton Health Care

More than 300 activists gathered outside of the Chase Brexton Health Care at north Charles and Chase Streets in Baltimore on  Friday to protest the firing of five of its workers for daring to seek union representation.

Employees have responded to his arbitrary conduct by filing a complaint with the Federal Labor Relations Board over the matter.

healthcare3At the moment more than 100 of Chase Brexton’s employees .including, nurses, social workers, physicians, therapists and pharmacists, are in the process of organizing to join 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. The SEIU is a national labor union for service employees with a membership of about 2 million people.

A petition drive has been initiated demanding the rehiring of the five workers and for Chase Brexton to stop “interfering with workers’ right to unionize.” It has now about 1,,300 signatures. Workers do have “a legal right” to organize and to join a union. And, that right is protected under federal law.

healthcare2The Lesbian/Gay communities are also concerned about this matter. They said the firings may indicate that the “trust bond” established between the health care provider and them are deteriorating. Chase Brexton did, until lately, have a solid reputation regarding its service to the local Lesbian/Gay & LGBTQ communities. Chase Brexton has five medical care locations throughout the state of Maryland.

Speaking at the rally were employees of Chase Brexton, patients, elected officials, union organizers and members of Baltimore’ Social Justice community.

Some of the speakers were Kate Rumiko Bruce, Ava Pipitone, Annie Lee, Del. Mary Washington, Del. Cheryl Glenn, Del. Cory McCray, State Sen. Rick Madaleno and Dr. Margaret Flowers.

See more photos from the event on Facebook.

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