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From today's Boston Globe Magazine - union membership literally saving lives: "Two recent studies on health care workers at nursing homes tell us something profound about the COVID-19 pandemic in America. One, published September 10 in the journal Health Affairs, suggests that one of the most important factors in keeping patients alive was whether or not staff were unionized. At the time of the study’s publication, deaths of patients in nursing homes accounted for 43 percent of total COVID deaths nationwide. But the deaths weren’t equally distributed across all nursing homes. In the institutions where health care workers were unionized, the mortality rate was 30 percent lower than those without worker unions. Among other factors, the authors wrote, 'Unions generally demand high staff-to-patient ratios, paid sick leave, and higher wage and benefit levels that reduce staff turnover.'
The second report, a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper, shows that patients at nursing homes where staff had to work at multiple locations were more likely to die, because staff carried the infection from one facility to the next. The authors wrote: “Nursing homes often rely on temporary nurses and nursing aides to meet staffing needs. In addition, nursing assistants — whose median pay is under $30,000 — in some cases work two jobs to make ends meet.” When nurses work one job, in one place, with sick leave and benefits, more of their patients live. In other words, job precarity is literally fatal."
Annetta's BOT address was freakin awesome! Thank you!!
The Engineering Service Learning class has joined the #ScholarStrike. Please read their statement:
I am posting some art for your reflection from one of my favorite artists, Tatyana Fazlalizade, @tlynnfaz
#prosperityNotAusterity #fundourfuture #umassfamilies
So... among our benefits is dental coverage, but we can't see a dentist right now. Vision coverage, but we can't see an optomotrist right now. Health Insurance, but the vast majority of services, preventative care, and other benefits aren't available right now (and a telehealth call is not the same as a doctor's visit). So... why are they keeping all our money right now? They are literally unable to deliver the services we work and pay for -- but they collect every dime anyway.
The state Department of Labor Relations has issued a formal complaint of prohibited practice (aka unfair labor practice) against UMass for regressive bargaining and bargaining in bad faith. This is of great significance. What happens next? Come to the 9/25 12 Noon All-Members meeting in the Cape Cod Lounge to hear from our bargaining team and discuss.
This is what democracy looks like!
