Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | May 27, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 5 is comes aer Fell said he's heard stories of one primary care physician and one nurse being assigned to 15 patients at a time and the hospital has brought in unqualified and untrained employees from outside the union. e hospital has proposed to dramat- ically increase the amount employees will pay toward health insurance while declining to give raises in line with the climbing cost of living, he said. "We are in contract negotiations with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), the labor union that represents 350 of our staff members in various depart- ments including environmental services, transportation, and our patient care techs. We have been negotiating in good faith with union representatives to reach a new contract. We are disappointed that the union is taking this approach. We have made progress towards a new contract and will continue to negotiate in hopes of reaching a successful resolu- tion," Shawn Middleton, Saint Vincent communications and public relations manager, said in an email statement to WBJ. e hospital and union lawyers have held bargaining sessions already, with two more scheduled for the end of May, and Fell said they've been tense. "e hospital has given nothing and refuse to acknowledge the importance of the workers, refuse to acknowledge the lack of safety for the staff and the patients, and refuse to address the problems of outsourcing the jobs." Fell said."Frankly, without these folks, without these workers, the hospital can't run, and the hospital can't provide the care that they need. And the fact that they're considering outsourcing and paying them such disrespectful wages is not only an insult to the workers, it's an insult to the Worcester community, and it's endangering the Worcester commu- nity." During early negotiations, Saint Vin- cent has proposed a 2.25% hourly wage increase per year, averaging to about 42 cents an hour for employees, Fell said. ough Fell did not give an exact raise percentage UFCW members are looking for, he said it is substantially higher than the current offer. "We would need a significant wage increase just in order to keep up with the cost of living, and it needs to reflect the importance of the work of our members, right? We keep the hospital running. ese healthcare workers are vital to the hospital, to the community and provide the best care," he said. Union members have been informa- tional picketing outside of Saint Vin- cents since April ahead of their contract 101 West Boylston St. Address of the West Boylston Cinema in West Boylston, which will close its doors at the end of May after more than 20 years in business Source: West Boylston Cinema's Facebook page Size of the Devens manufacturing facility to serve as the North American headquarters for British manufacturer Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions Source: Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions 150,000 square feet $356,170 Funding received by Worcester nonprofit Veterans Inc. from the state Veterans Community Initiative Grant program to support the organization's suicide prevention initiatives Source: Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services Central Mass. business confidence tumbles into pessimistic territory, nears all-time low Hope might spring eternal, but the spring of 2024 hasn't brought much hope to Central Massachusetts businesses. e Central Massachusetts Busi- ness Confidence Index took a tumble in April, as it fell from a 51.9 score in March to 45.9, according to figures from the trade group Associated Industries of Massachusetts released May 6. Scored on a 100-point scale, an index num- ber above 50 represents an optimistic outlook, while a number below 50 represents a pessimistic outlook. April's score of 45.9 is the second lowest the monthly index has been since AIM launched the region's versions of its statewide business confidence index in November 2021 in partnership with the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. e lowest score was 45.7 in October. AIM has released a monthly statewide index since 1991. "Employers and consumers alike are experiencing persistent inflation and slowing economic activity, leading to increased caution," Sara Johnson, chair of the AIM Board of Economic Advi- sors, said in the press release. "e good news is that real private consumption and investment have continued to rise, while the job market has come into better balance." For April, the statewide business con- fidence index also declined, dropping 0.3 points to 51.9. In other regions through- out the state, the Western Massachusetts Business Confidence Index fell from 50.5 to 48.4, and the North Shore Confidence Index remained optimistic, rising from 56.0 to 59.6. President Biden authorizes disaster aid to Worcester County for September storm damage Worcester County business owners and residents who endured storm-re- lated repair costs due to September flooding may now be eligible for disaster aid, as President Joe Biden has autho- rized assistance under a federal disaster declaration. Eligible homeowners and renters who have endured damages to their homes, vehicles, personal property, businesses, or inventory are now able to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. e authorization follows a March appeal by Gov. Maura Healey to the President and FEMA aer her original request for a federal disaster declaration in December was denied, according to a May 16 press release from the Gover- nor's office. Some communities endured more than seven inches of rain as a result of the September storm, resulting in evac- uations, sheltering, water rescues, and construction of temporary roadways, according to the release. "Leominster and North Worcester County were devastated by last Sep- tember's extreme rain and flooding. We have people who are going into credit card debt and draining their savings to rebuild," Congressman Jim McGovern said in the release. "at's unconscio- nable—and I have been fighting with Governor Healey to appeal the federal government's disastrous decision to deny Massachusetts the relief we desperately need and deserve. Today, thanks to our perseverance, part of that appeal has been approved—and the process of heal- ing and rebuilding can begin." Gov. Healey has also requested public assistance to reimburse state agencies and municipalities across Worcester County for storm-related expenses. is request is under review. Saint Vincent union workers picket amid strained contract negotiations In yet another addition to ongoing disputes between Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester and its workers, the hos- pital is embroiled in contract negotia- tions with UFCW Local 1445, a union representing about 300 Saint Vincent employees. ose employees include housekeep- ers, secretaries, transporters, personal care assistants, critical care technicians, and nursing assistants, said Jack Fell, communications director at UFCW. e union members are seeking four main revisions to their contract: a fair, living wage, job protection from out- sourcing to temp agencies, safe staffing levels, and affordable health insurance, said Fell. $21 million Contract signed by Framingham clean energy firm Ameresco with the City of Henderson in Nevada to convert 30,000 of its street lights to energy-efficient LED technology. Source: Ameresco Continued on next page UFCW Local 1445 workers picket in front of Saint Vincent Hospital

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