What: Candlelight Vigil and Press Conference
When: Thursday, February 17, 2022 6p.m. – 8p.m.
Where: Health Alliance Hospital, Broadway Campus 396 Broadway, Kingston
Who: 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers, State and Local Elected Officials, Community Supporters
Special Guest Speaker: Pat Ryan, Ulster County Executive

A candlelight vigil will be held tonight Thursday, February 17, 2022, “to shine light on the risks to quality care caused by short staffing at HealthAlliance Hospital, as well as a lack of mental health beds in Ulster County,” according to a press release sent by Mindy Berman, a representative of the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East union, a fast-growing healthcare union.

“Healthcare workers, members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, elected officials and concerned citizens say that Westchester Medical Center must step up and provide the care and services that the residents of Kingston and surrounding communities need,” the press release said. Ultster County Executive Pat Ryan will be speaking at the vigil.

“Healthcare workers who are members of the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East union have been trying to negotiate a fair first contract with WMC/HealthAlliance for more than a year, without success,” said Mindy. Union members have been holding different demonstrations throughout the year to raise awareness of their needs. “In the meantime,” the press release says, “the challenges and drama of the COVID pandemic persist, and dedicated healthcare workers are leaving their jobs under great stress.”

Says Lindsey Bradford, a Cardiac Care Monitor: “I work in health care and I can’t even afford health care. I’ve been working at this hospital for ten years and I work without a lunch break or bathroom breaks due to shortages on staff. We can’t get new people in the door because they can work for more money elsewhere. I work 12-hr. nights/four nights a week and I still can’t afford health care or braces for my kids. The hospital needs to stop stalling on this contract. Now.”

The purpose of the vigil is to call attention to several critical issues, as outlined in the press release:

Contract Proposals: “First, the members’ contract proposals are more than reasonable—fair market wages and affordable benefits will attract and retain healthcare workers, thereby helping address severe short staffing issues. A fair contract must also give workers the resources to take care of their own families, so they can devote 100% to caring for others.”
Invested in the Community: “1199SEIU members at HealthAlliance don’t only work at the hospital—they are also part of the Ulster/ Dutchess community. With their own families living, working, and going to school in the area, their commitment to providing quality care at the hospital is personal.”
Mental Health Beds: “The members are also urging WMC to bring back to Kingston much-needed mental health beds.”

Says Gabriel "Gabe" Valles, a Clinical Tech, Psychiatric Emergency: “We’re holding this vigil because we can’t afford to visit the hospital we work at; our pay doesn’t allow us to work just one job or focus on our patients. Our staffing situation is a direct result of our pay. It’s reasonable to be able to care for our families and continue to care for our patients. We don’t want to make money – we want to make people healthy.“

About 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East

1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. They represent over 450,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Their mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.