Cleveland Clinic Lutheran Hospital union could vote to strike

CLEVELAND — More than 175 union employees at Cleveland Clinic Lutheran Hospital have voted to strike over what they call “unfair labor practices” from management.

Members of Service Employees International Union District 1199 confirmed the affirmative vote to 3News Friday evening. The workers impacted include licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, maintenance workers, housekeepers, and physical therapy assistants, among others.

SUBSCRIBE: Get the day’s top local and national headlines sent to your email inbox each weekday morning with 3News to GO! newsletter

SEIU 1199 has been negotiating a new contract with Cleveland Clinic ever since the previous collective bargaining agreement expired earlier this year, but workers claim the hospital “has refused to bargain in good faith with the union” and also say the National Labor Relations Board is investigating more than 20 allegations against Clinic management that include “refusal to furnish information, illegal union busting activities, retaliation, [and] discrimination.”

“Cleveland Clinic leadership needs to put caregivers and patients over profits!” SEIU 1199 Director Vanessa Dalesandro said Thursday, prior to the strike vote. “They are more worried about stealing workers’ rights and lining their own pockets, than risking the continuity of patient care. Caregivers at Lutheran Hospital deserve a fair contract that values them and should not have to fight this hard to have their legal right to bargain respected.”

The union previously authorized a notice of intent to strike back on April 28, but still could not reach an agreement with the Clinic despite a purported 16 meetings on the subject. With the final vote now completed, the hospital system is expected to be formally made aware of their intentions in the coming days, with a walkout date being made public thereafter.

WKYC has reached out to Cleveland Clinic for comment, but has yet to hear back.

Want to be among the first to know the most important local and national news? You can download the free WKYC app and get the latest updates right on your phone: Android, Apple.