HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Union workers at Cabell-Huntington Hospital are voting today on a proposed contract that if rejected could cause a work stoppage.
Nearly 1,000 workers in the service and maintenance units, represented by SEIU 1199, issued a strike notice 10 days ago while negotiations continued on a new deal. The deadline is midnight Tuesday.
According to a union representative, talks broke off at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday when the hospital “gave a last best final offer.”
The workers have until 8 p.m. Tuesday to vote. A total should be known by 8:30 p.m.
As MetroNews reported last week, the union is seeking wage increases, quality care, safe staffing and continued health insurance coverage.
“There are concessions around holiday times, wages and health insurance, even around non-economic issues that don’t cost them anything. This isn’t the year or the contract for that,” Sherri McKinney, regional director with SEIU District 1199, said at the time.
The workers impacted are lab and X-ray technicians, as well as cleaning staff.