AFSCME Reveals Low Wages At Chicago's Resurrection Catholic Hospitals (CEO made more than a million

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Workers Independent News

AFSCME Reveals Low Wages At Chicago's Resurrection Catholic Hospitals - 08/07/07

By Doug Cunningham

Workers at Resurrection Catholic Hospitals in Chicago fighting to organize a union released a report Monday revealing wages as low as $9 an hour for housekeeping, laundry and food workers at the hospitals. AFSCME's Roberta Lynch.

: "Patient support staff earn wages that keep them mired in poverty, unable to support their families - and in some cases relying on public assistance."

SHirley Brown is working at Resurrection while battling cancer.

: "I work hard. I work at a Catholic hospital. Our CEO made more than a million dollars in 2006. Enough is enough. We deserve a fair day's pay for a fair day's work."

The AFL-CIO's Linda Chavez-Thomson.

: "It was shocking to me as a life long Catholic that a Catholic company that preaches about health care benefits and a living wage
as a right for all would pay workers so little."

Father Larry Dowling supports workers trying for form a union at Resurrection.

: "Catholic social teaching is very clear about the need for employers to pay a living wage and respect workers rights to organize a union. These low wages are an embarrassment - an embarrassment - for a Catholic institution."

Read more: http://www.laborradio.org/node/6532

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AUDIO story here: http://www.laborradio.org/files/lo/winsheadlines.ram

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[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Hell, Steve...

I am looking for work in IT, after very expensive training, and some of the jobs, with real responsibilities, are listed at $12-15/hr. With MCSA or MCSE certification.

[Dob Bole]

2. My last job in IT paid $7.50 an hour...

I do think the U.S. minimum wage should be at least $10, but still...most people in the world live on $2 a day. These guys are not "mired in poverty."

[Omaha Steve]

3. Unions and the Democratic party would like to see US all do better

These low life workers clean laundry from people with communicable diseases. Needle sticks happen. (It happened to my mom in a non union hospital) There is a list of duties they do that the more educated look down on. If they want a union to improve their lot, let them. Don't knock them.

You really follow the Republican thinking of everybody (but the rich) fend for themselves. Unions and Democrats fought side by side to end child labor, for a retirement in which you can afford to retire, health care, and a large middle class, etc... If your not happy with what is out there, join a union. Or perhaps stay jealous of those willing to try.

It is to bad so many American's were asleep at the wheel. Two stolen elections. How many congress and senate members likewise over the years. Look what we have been reduced to. Fighting with each other instead of FOR each other.

[Dob Bole]

7. Not so...I'm a union member.

I'm all for increased wages and worker rights. My main point of contention was that nine bucks an hour is "dire poverty." I've been all over Central America, and anyone who made 9 bucks an hour there would be the richest person in their village.

[Ian David]

4. Catholic Hospitals are a case study in douchebaggery.

For just one example:

Panel warns ex-Caritas chief over sexual harassment . Haddad is spared disciplinary action
Topic started by IanDB1 on Aug-02-07 11:33 AM (0 replies)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=158&topic_id=12992

[Systematic Chaos]

5. I spent 10 days in one.

Complete waste of time and my problem is just as bad as ever. :eyes:

[Ian David]

6. Good thing you weren't a rape victim. n/t