Windham Community Memorial Hospital (WCMH) Employees United

Securing 'Hero Pay' for Unprecedented Service

Thu, 04/27/2023 - 12:30pm
The global COVID-19 pandemic is undoubtedly the greatest collective challenge our union members have faced in their lifetimes. Securing adequate compensation for the risks taken by frontline "essential" workers has been a daunting and often frustrating challenge. Our latest collective bargaining report highlights how public employee members tapped the power of "Union YES" to move a neutral arbitrator and state lawmakers to show appreciation for their sacrifice.
 

Taking Action to Resolve Windham’s Patient Care Crisis

Fri, 09/16/2022 - 2:30pm
Caregivers in the state's "Quiet Corner" are joining the growing chorus of their colleagues across the nation calling strikes when provoked by heartless health chains. Local AFT Connecticut-affiliated union leaders in a joint commentary explained how members reached this difficult decision. Windham Federation of Professional Nurses President Andrea Riley, RN, (left photo, below) and Windham Community Memorial Hospital (WCMH) Employees United President Heather Howlett, CA (right photo) collectively urged support from "all who share our concerns:"
 

"Securing Our Wins" Before the Pandemic Hit

Fri, 07/17/2020 - 5:30pm
Local unions' collective bargaining efforts immediately following the declaration of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) crisis as a public health emergency focused on the pandemic's impact. At the same time, final action on several negotiated agreements before Connecticut residents were urged to "stay safe and stay home” was delayed. We're highlighting two such examples of new contracts finally in force but which at the peak of the crisis faced uncertain outcomes.
 

Windham Hospital Caregivers Protect Community Access to Vital Services

Mon, 01/30/2017 - 1:30pm
Nurses, technicians and healthcare workers at Windham Memorial Community Hospital (WCMH) last Thursday approved a mediated settlement for new three-year contracts with their employer following nine months of negotiations. Members of two AFT Connecticut-affiliated local unions ratified collective bargaining agreements covering economic and working conditions for approximately 350 caregivers at the 130-bed facility owned by Hartford HealthCare (HHC).
 

Where the Front Line Meets the Bottom Line

Fri, 04/29/2016 - 3:30pm
Hundreds of nurses and health professionals last week gathered in Washington, D.C. to raise their voices on the issues affecting frontline caregivers and their patients. They came to the nation's capitol for AFT's annual Professional Issues Conference (PIC) and Labor Academy for hospital and healthcare workers. More than 30 members of AFT Connecticut-affiliated unions were among the attendees for this year's event, organized under the theme "Where the Front Line Meets the Bottom Line."
 

Advocates, Leaders Call for Greater Scrutiny of Windham Hospital Service Changes

Wed, 10/21/2015 - 3:30pm
Hartford - Community leaders and Windham Hospital staff yesterday delivered approximately 3,000 names of residents opposing planned changes for the facility to the state's Office of Health Care Access (OCHA). The legislators, caregivers, and advocates on behalf of a coalition formed to save vital services threatened by Hartford HealthCare (HHC) hand-delivered individual cards to a Department of Public Health (DPH) representative. Each included a name on a petition launched in July by the unions representing Windham Hospital's caregiver workforce urging HHC leadership to drop planned service cuts for the facility.
 

Caregivers to Offer "Better Choices than Proposed Shutdowns" at Windham Hospital

Fri, 07/24/2015 - 10:00am
Willimantic - Nurses, technicians and healthcare workers at Windham Hospital are responding to management's agreement to enter formal talks over planned patient care and hospital staff reductions at the acute care facility. Wednesday's announcement followed three weeks of community engagement efforts led by caregivers and the region's legislative delegation designed to save services slated for closure by the hospital's non-profit owners.
 
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