Published on March 27, 2010 at 1:42 AM
Today, the Interfaith Coalition to Stop Abuses at Ascension, a coalition that includes the Teamsters and workers' rights, religious, social justice and community organizations, launched a new web site, www.StopAscensionAbuses.com.
The web site tells the story of employees at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc, MI. Genesys is owned by Ascension Health, the largest Catholic non-profit hospital chain in America.
Ascension wants to cut licensed nurses, paramedics and EMTs, to stop workers' pensions, and to eliminate health care for retired workers. These employees, who are represented by Teamsters Local 332 in Flint, Mich., fear these cuts will jeopardize patient care and the community's health.
"It is unconscionable that Ascension managers would demand that retired employees give up their own health care, when they have been the ones to provide health care to this community for so many years," said Nina Bugbee, President of Local 332.
This is the beginning of an expanding campaign to protect workers' rights and quality patient care at Ascension hospitals nationwide.
SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters