Mt. Sinai and Schwab Rehab Hospital Workers Join With Faith Leaders as Part of the National “Moral Day of Action” to Demand an Agenda for Working Families and Communities to Fight for Living Wages and Solutions to End Poverty
 
CONTACT:  scott.vogel@seiuhcil.org
(September 12, 2016, Chicago) — Mt. Sinai Hospital and Schwab Rehab workers joined with faith leaders and Chicago Alderman Jason Ervin (28th Ward;) as part of the National “Moral Day of Action” to demand an agenda for working families. (Scroll below to watch videos of the press event).
Mt. Sinai workers held a sign that reads, “Level 1 Trauma Center Pay, for Level 1 Trauma Center Care” to send a message that workers should earn a fair wage for their service and commitment to providing quality patient care. Mt. Sinai Hospital is also the only Level 1 Trauma Center on the West Side of Chicago, but where the healthcare workers earn the lowest wages in the City.
For example, the average hourly wage for CNAs at Level 1 adult trauma centers in the Chicago area varies dramatically. Northwestern Memorial Hospital CNAs average $20.29 an hour, but Mt. Sinai and Schwab workers earn on average below $15 an hour. Raising wages for healthcare workers at Mt. Sinai and Schwab would help workers and their families but also support local businesses where the West Side community needs greater investment and real economic opportunity.
Mt, Sinai Hospital Workers, Natalie Guzman & Alice Jones Speak Out for $15 Minimum Wage

Chicago Alderman Jason Irving Supports Mt Sinai Hospital Workers In Fight for $15

Mt. Sinai’s press event was in conjunction with the “Higher Ground Moral Day of Action” with events organized by faith and clergy leaders in over 25 states across the country. Faith leaders are calling on all elected officials to sign a moral declaration and pledge to fight for a set of values that include economic justice and fair wages for workers, equality in education, affordable healthcare, criminal justice reform, and protecting voting rights.
Pastor Michael Eaddy from the People’s Church of the Harvest Church of God in Christ spoke at the event.

Level 1 Adult Trauma Centers in Chicago Area

Hospital Name	CNA/Orderly Average Hourly Wage
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL	$             20.29
JOHN H. STROGER  JR. HOSPITAL OF COOK COUNTY	$             18.06
ADVOCATE CONDELL MEDICAL CENTER	$             16.80
ADVOCATE GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL	$             16.79
ADVOCATE CHRIST HOSPITAL	$             16.69
NORTHSHORE UNIVERSITY HEALTHSYSTEM	$             16.44
ADVOCATE LUTHERAN GENERAL HOSPITAL	$             15.95
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER	$             15.73
ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC MEDICAL CENTER	$             15.23
PRESENCE HEALTH ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL	$             14.64
MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER	$          14.11

Mt. Sinai Hospital and Schwab Rehab workers’ decision to join the Fight for $15 movement comes on the heels of Northwestern Memorial Hospital workers who announced they were Fighting for $15 in June of this year as the campaign continues to pick up momentum in Chicago.