Backus Hospital

Offering Hope through Union Activism

Thu, 10/13/2022 - 5:00pm
Members of AFT Connecticut-affiliated local unions representing health professionals in an increasingly consolidated industry are raising the alarm when it comes to an escalating patient care crisis. In an interview for our national union's online "AFT Health Care," Backus Federation of Nurses President Sherri Dayton (left in photo, below) offers insights and suggestions for overcoming challenges. Her timely advice includes supporting candidates seeking political office this November running on the "labor is your neighbor" platform:

"Rewarding to Win on Issues that Matter" to Our Members

Thu, 01/28/2021 - 6:30pm
Despite the challenges posed by a deadly second wave of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) infections, union members over the past three months made significant progress at the negotiating table. We’re highlighting a contract victory for our latest collective bargaining report resulting from workplace activism in spite of the limitations imposed by the pandemic. The win reinforces how engaging the membership around priority issues yields real dividends.
 

Backus Hospital Nurses Secure New Contract That Ensures "Great Quality Care" for Region

Thu, 10/22/2020 - 11:30am
NORWICH—Registered nurses at the William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, yesterday voted nearly unanimously to approve a settlement with the hospital, which followed a two-day strike. The agreement reached Saturday with Hartford HealthCare (HHC), which operates the 213-bed acute care facility, improves protective gear policies and empowers the caregivers to address staffing issues. The pact also resolves long-standing recruitment and retention concerns by making significant economic investments in the workforce.
 

Winning Hassle-Free Workers' Comp for "Frontline Heroes”

Wed, 08/19/2020 - 5:30pm
Union activists in late July last month scored a major victory in the fight to protect “essential" employees recovering after contracting COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) on the job. Governor Ned Lamont on July 24 issued an executive order establishing a workers' compensation “presumption" for those sickened during their service on the frontline of the pandemic. The action followed months of pressure coordinated by the state’s labor movement and which engaged members of AFT Connecticut-affiliated unions.
 
Click here for the official executive order. 
 

Preparing for a Possible Public Health Emergency

Sat, 02/29/2020 - 1:30pm
The continuing spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) across the globe and here in the U.S. is a growing concern. As professionals working with students, patients and the general public, our members must be prepared — not panicked. We are working with our national union and state public health officials to provide tools and information in the event of a possible outbreak in Connecticut.
 
Click here for AFT's round-up of coronavirus resources.
 

Fighting to "Keep Families Together"

Fri, 08/23/2019 - 5:30pm
Here in Connecticut and all across the country — particularly at our nation's southern border — refugees and immigrants face an increasingly hostile climate. Images of children caged in detention camps, workplace raids, families torn apart by deportation orders and violent hate crimes have become all too common. Through it all, union members have been bearing witness and taking action to defend vulnerable communities against intolerance and criminalization.
 
Click here for resources to help protect immigrant families.
 

Swearing-In Leaders Committed to a Union that's "Still Growing"

Mon, 07/22/2019 - 5:30pm
Leaders elected by delegates to AFT Connecticut's annual convention were last week officially sworn in to the offices they will hold through June of 2021. While most are continuing in positions they previously held, there were notable exceptions — including changes in secretary-treasurer as well as two jurisdictional and five at-large vice presidents (VP). All have track records within their local affiliates that demonstrate the strength of the "U and I in Union."
 

Comments on Federal Judge's Decision Threatening National Health Reform Law

Mon, 12/17/2018 - 10:30am
AFT Connecticut leaders made the following remarks regarding Friday's Texas district court ruling in a lawsuit filed by governors and state attorneys general seeking to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA):
 

Comments on Federal Proposal to Curb Violence Against Workers in Health Settings

Mon, 11/19/2018 - 1:30pm
AFT Connecticut leaders made the following remarks regarding the introduction Friday of the "Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act" (H.R. 7141) by U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-2):
 

Empowering Members "to Speak Out and Win"

Tue, 08/07/2018 - 5:30pm
Collective bargaining agreements reached over the past six weeks with multiple employers for thousands of working people represented by AFT Connecticut-affiliated local unions share much in common. The individual contracts certainly included gains designed to meet the needs of the union members who ratified them. Each was also the product of collective efforts demonstrating that the "U and I in Union" is how to achieve that which cannot be accomplished alone.
 
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