Unionized workers at Strong Memorial Hospital won an arbitration case after they discovered the hospital did not pay out contractually-owed bonuses to employees who worked longer shifts.
More than 1,100 hospital workers will receive one-time payments between $32 and $16,483 to rectify the missing bonuses, the healthcare union 1199SEIU announced Oct. 30.
“We have won a long hard fight for what our members are owed to them for working very long hours and days keeping the hospital running efficiently,” said Natalie Johnson, a patient unit secretary and union member.
The union’s contract details a scheduling incentive program that offers bonuses to workers who volunteer for longer shifts during employee shortages. Workers whose departments faced a 20% vacancy rate were promised $32 for every additional four hours they worked after a regular shift.
Over a year ago, dozens of workers noticed their paychecks did not include the bonuses, the union said.
Employees still have 24 days to submit paystubs and schedules to union representatives if they believe they are also missing payments. 1199SEIU represents hospital employees including medical and dental assistants, and environmental service, food service and transportation workers.
— Kayla Canne covers community safety for the Democrat and Chronicle with a focus on police accountability, government surveillance and how people are impacted by violence. Follow her on Instagram at @bykaylacanne. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Strong Memorial owes some workers thousands after missed overtime bonuses
Reporting by Kayla Canne, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
