Employees on a three-day strike demonstrated exterior the Howard Brown Well being Heart on Tuesday, denouncing the group’s choice to furlough a gaggle of 61 union staff amid contract negotiations.

Employees obtained discover that they’d been laid off on Friday. Various.

The employees are a part of Group 450 staff who unionized in the summertime negotiating their first contracts.

Leaders of the newly shaped Howard Brown Well being Employees United union mentioned the layoffs have been made after assurances that union members wouldn’t face layoffs. Commerce union leaders filed unfair labor fees with the Nationwide Labor Relations Fee.

The brand new union is affiliated with the Illinois Nurses Affiliation. Howard Brown’s nurse was beforehand unionized and labored below a distinct contract.

Howard Brown is a non-profit well being group with clinics throughout town devoted to serving the LGBT neighborhood.

Lindsay Martin, a therapist who works at 4025 North Sheridan Street Well being Heart, marched within the rain exterior her former workplace Tuesday morning, chanting with dozens of union members.

Lindsey Martin, a behavioral well being advisor at Howard Brown Well being Sheridan, was laid off on December 30.

Martin, who was laid off, mentioned she was fearful about persevering with to look after purchasers with whom she had constructed relationships of belief however whose ties had instantly been severed by the layoff.

“I see folks going via all the pieces from anxiousness to excessive psychological well being points,” she mentioned.

Howard Brown mentioned the layoffs are a part of a plan to shut a $12 million income shortfall whereas sustaining affected person providers.

Howard Brown spokesperson Len O’Kelly mentioned in an e mail Tuesday morning: We proceed to serve our sufferers. ”

Union staff declare Howard Brown’s administration had sufficient time to plan for cuts in federal funding, and use the scarcity as an excuse for layoffs to weaken the brand new union.

Dismissed staff can obtain retirement advantages and medical insurance till January.

Howard Brown President and CEO David Ernesto Munar mentioned: .

“The aim is to reduce the impression on our staff and keep the prime quality of service our sufferers count on and deserve. Whereas painful within the quick time period, these cost-saving measures will It is going to assist guarantee Howard Brown’s skill to serve our neighborhood for many years to come back.”

Margo Ghislaine, organizer of the Illinois Nurses Affiliation, mentioned she hopes the indictment on the Nationwide Labor Relations Fee will restore staff’ jobs and pay again wages.