It is with sadness and anger that we inform you that we must withdraw from the campaign to form a union for the healthcare workers and technologists at Backus Hospital.
Unfortunately, the intentional and inappropriate spread of misinformation, intimidation, and fear by Hartford HealthCare and William W. Backus Hospital has made it impossible to proceed at this time.
Over the past few months, we have learned numerous managers and administrators have spread misinformation. This has caused workers to be misled and intimidated:
- Managers inaccurately claimed "unions ruin intimacy with the employer;"
- Managers exaggerated or lied about union dues; &
- Managers falsely asserted unions only benefit those with "full-time" status.
In an already understaffed and underpaid environment, this heavy-handed and hostile union-busting campaign has contributed to making Backus Hospital a dangerously toxic workplace.
Our efforts will continue. We strongly believe that all techs and service workers at Backus Hospital -- and throughout the Hartford HealthCare system -- need a union and that a majority want to have a voice at the table to negotiate for better working conditions. Our announcement is just a temporary setback.
In the meantime, we can be proud of the work we've done at Backus and use these lessons in future fights to level the playing field for workers. We appreciate everything you've done to stand up for what's right. We will never stop fighting for you.
In solidarity,
Sherri Dayton, RN
Vice President for Healthcare, AFT Connecticut
John Brady, RN
Vice President, AFT Connecticut
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