Unions Request Participation In Hospital Talks

Five unions representing employees at and Westerly Hospital have asked to take part in discussions on a possible partnership between the two health care providers.

In a letter to Bruce Cummings, president and CEO of Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, and Charlie Kinney, president and CEO of Westerly Hospital, the unions ask to be represented on a joint steering committee. This committee is exploring whether the two hospitals should enter into a .

In the letter, union representatives said they were concerned "that there is not a single representative on the joint steering committee elected by the employees for the purpose of representing the employees." The letter says over 2,500 people are represented through the unions.

"Our unions want to play a positive and constructive role in this process," the letter states. "In order to do that, we have to be included in the important discussions and decision making that is taking place. If we are left on the outside, we will be devoid of important information and we will be left to speculate or make educated guesses regarding matters that are important to us."

Michael O'Farrell, spokesman for Lawrence & Memorial, said the hospital had received the letter and was evaluating the request.

The unions publicized the letter through AFT Connecticut, which represents over 28,000 professionals in fields such as teaching, health care, and state and municipal services.

"The approval process for something of this magnitude is lengthy and complex in both states," said Harry Rodriguez, president of L&M Healthcare Workers Union Local 5123, in a press release. "Our members will have lots of questions and if we are on the joint steering committee we will be better able to give them answers."

Jan Salsich, president of UNAP Local 5075 - a Westerly Hospital union representing nurses, social workers, and technical personnel - said, "In this process, it is important that our community is assured that they will continue to have access to all of the high quality services they have come to rely upon us to provide them in their own community."