HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Union workers at Cabell Huntington Hospital voted Tuesday to go on strike after negotiations with the hospital ended without a deal.
SEIU District 1199 held a vote, in which a majority of affiliated service and maintenance unit workers agreed to begin a work stoppage on Wednesday. The workers include laboratory and X-ray technicians as well as cleaning staff.
Talks between the union and hospital had been ongoing, with the union seeking wage increases, quality care, safe staffing and continued health insurance coverage.
“We typically don’t release the actual number. However, when I tell you it was overwhelming, I can’t stress enough how overwhelming the majority was,” said Sherri McKinney, a director with SEIU District 1199. “It wasn’t close. It was really, truly overwhelming.”
McKinney told MetroNews discussions had been going on for months. Union workers could not reach a deal with the hospital before the vote.
“Workers spoke today,” she said. “They spoke today and said they’re not willing to make the concessions that the hospital has put on the table, and these things are worth fighting for.”
The strike will begin Wednesday at noon.