CLEVELAND — Workers at Cleveland Clinic Lutheran Hospital walked off the job Wednesday, taking their fight for fair wages, safe staffing, and affordable healthcare to the picket line after months of contract negotiations with the hospital broke down.
"The clinic wants us to surrender rights and protections, and we're not willing to surrender those rights and protections. We're going to keep on fighting, fighting for everything that we've been able to protect and preserve up to this point," Vanessa Dalesandro, SEIU District 1199 regional director for West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio, said.
Dozens of employees represented by SEIU District 1199 which is about 200 workers at the Lutheran Hospital location, went on strike, filling the streets outside the hospital with chants and signs.
Tajuana Johnson, a menu specialist at Cleveland Clinic, was among those who walked out.
"My body is tired, my mind is tired, but I still do my job as a Cleveland Clinic worker," Johnson said.
For Johnson leaving was not an easy decision, especially for the patients she serves.
"It was very hard. I had to forewarn some of my patients today, and they are praying for us. They are with us, and they said if they could be out here, they would," Johnson said.
Her message to hospital leadership was direct.
"Stop playing with us. Give us safe staffing. Lower our health insurance and give us more money," Johnson said.
As someone who has worked at Cleveland Clinic for 20 years, this fight is personal for Johnson.
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"It's very hurtful. I'm holding back tears now, but I have to do what I have to do for not only myself, but for my coworkers. We're stand united, and united we win," Johnson said.
The union's key demands include fair wages, safe staffing, improved workplace safety, and more affordable healthcare coverage.
"The Cleveland Clinic claims to be world class care and the best place to work in healthcare. Yet they are forcing their workers to eat the cost of health insurance premiums and deductibles that have recently increased," Dalesandro said.
The picket line drew support from several elected officials, including Congresswoman Shontel Brown, who said she reached out to the clinic directly and has not heard back.
"I want to see the clinic come to the table to negotiate with the workers so that we can have fair wages, good benefits, and a safe work environment," Brown said.
State Rep. Tristan Rader also stood with workers, reminding the public what they did for the community during the pandemic.
"These are the workers that during the pandemic we said were heroes. We said these folks were indispensable, right? But now the clinic is treating them like they're dispensable," Rader said.
Councilman Tanmay Shah echoed that sentiment.
“We have the richest country in the world, ostensibly the best healthcare system here in the world with the Cleveland Clinic, yet, they can't seem to pay their workers enough to live. It doesn't make any sense. They need to negotiate. They negotiate good pay. I'm here to stand with workers to make sure the clinic does their work,” said Councilman Shah.
"While we are disappointed that an agreement has not yet been reached, Lutheran Hospital remains fully committed to providing safe, high-quality care to our patients and community. Lutheran Hospital continues to provide all inpatient care, appointments and scheduled procedures without disruption. We look forward to continuing our good-faith efforts in negotiations and appreciate the dedication, loyalty and care provided by every caregiver at Lutheran Hospital."
In an earlier statement, the hospital said it was "working diligently to reach an agreement that recognizes the important contributions of our caregivers while supporting the hospital's ability to serve patients and the community."
As for the union, they will keep striking until an agreement is reached.
"What's next depends on the clinic. The ball's in their court. They need to get to the bargaining table and bargain in good faith. Respect your caregivers," Dalesandro said.
