L&M Hospital Workers Picket for Livable Wages, Healthcare and Staffing

Over 900 members of Local 5123, AFT Connecticut at Lawrence and Memorial (L&M) Hospital in New London are demanding that Yale New Haven Health administrators negotiate in good faith for a new contract that would provide living wages, affordable health care insurance and adequate staffing.

The workers provide support services that ensure patients receive adequate care at L&M owned by Yale New Haven Health, one of the wealthiest and largest health care systems in Connecticut.

Connie Fields, President of Local 5123 says union members are struggling to support themselves and their families on the $15.50 per hour wages and poor healthcare insurance. Many workers are forced to go on the Connecticut Husky Health plan to supplement the health insurance provided on the job, while Patrick Green, President of L&M makes over $1.2 million per year in salary. It is clear that Yale New Haven Health’s priorities are backwards.

Local 5123’s members have been in contract negotiations since May 2022 with Yale New Haven Health’s administrators refusing to agree to decent living wages, reasonable health care and adequate staffing levels.

There are 130 vacant positions currently unfilled resulting in workers having difficulty providing needed care for patients. The union members are overworked and struggling to provide adequate care and services for patients. The Hospital’s poor treatment of workers extends to patients and the local community.

These health care workers are not alone in their struggle for a decent contract. Local leaders from New London, Groton and surrounding towns showed up on the picket line last week to support the workers.

Among those joining the picket line were New London Mayor Michael Passero, State Senator Martha Marx, and State Representatives Anthony Nolan, Christine Conley and Aundre Bumgardner. They recognized that Local 5123 members are engaged in a struggle to improve the lives of their families, patients and the broader community.

Signs carried on the picket lines illustrate these needs: “ L &M Healthcare Workers: We Demand Safe Staffing” “Hero Workers Paid Like Zeros” “L & M Hospital: I AM Worth More Than $15.50”

Members of Local 5123 AFT Connecticut deserve a decent contract!