The United Food & Commercial Workers Local 27 has begun an organizing campaign at UPMC Western Maryland in Cumberland.
As part of the drive, the union is encouraging staff to sign union authorization forms, citing issues such as staffing shortages, mandatory overtime, workplace safety concerns, quality of care and wages.
“The staff at UPMC Western Maryland has had enough,” UFCW Local 27 said on its website, adding that it plans to seek recognition with the National Labor Relations Board. “We have heard from many overworked, frustrated hospital workers who worry about their health and well-being, as well as the health and well-being of those they care for. It’s time for that to change.”
UPMC Western Maryland, which serves residents in Allegany County and the surrounding counties in Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, is part of Pittsburgh-based UPMC.
UFCW Local 27 represents healthcare workers in hospitals and assisted living facilities across Maryland and Delaware, including Kaiser Permanente staff in Maryland. Employees affected by the potential move at UPMC Western Maryland include nurses and the environmental services and dietary departments, UFCW Local 27 organizer Zackary Frink said, according to the Cumberland Times-News.
A UPMC spokesperson shared the following statement with Becker’s:
“We respect each UPMC Western Maryland employee’s right to choose or decline union membership. We prefer fostering direct, successful relationships between UPMC Western Maryland management and staff, rather than dealing through third parties.”
