Caregivers at Dominican Hospital’s outpatient rehabilitation center held a picket on September 18, calling for a fair contract that will help the center retain workers and provide the best possible care for Santa Cruz residents.
The more than two dozen caregivers, who include occupational therapists, speech therapists, and physical therapists, have been without a contract since late May. In 2016, Dominican outsourced operation of the facility to Kindred, which operates hospitals and rehabilitation centers across the country. Under Kindred’s stewardship, the rehabilitation center has offered below market wages and struggled to recruit and retain caregivers. Workers are seeking better pay with more time off to help the center reduce turnover and keep dedicated staff.
“We’re committed to meeting the needs of our patients, who are recovering from serious injuries,” said Michele Koch, a physical therapist at the center. “Our center provides a critical service for the people of Santa Cruz, and we expect Dominican and Kindred to provide competitive salaries so that we can be fully staffed and provide the best care for our community.”
The picket line was marked by strong participation from workers who chanted “What do we want! Fair wages! When do we want them? Now!”
“It was great to stand beside all my colleagues, advocating for each other and for keeping specialized therapy in our local community, ” said Lilly Sell, a physical therapist at the center. “Our resolve has never been stronger to win a contract that honors our therapists’ work and ensures that our patients get the care they need.”
