Union representing health care workers rebukes early push for re-opening

A union representing some 45,000 healthcare workers voiced staunch support for Gov. Tom Wolf’s slow approach to re-opening the state and criticized politicians pushing to speed up or even defy that approach.

“We condemn any politician who risks public health and the lives of every Pennsylvanian by recklessly defying stay at home orders and social distancing precautions, the measures which allow us to control the contagion,” a statement issued Monday said.

The statement comes as businesses and even county officials have begun to openly defy Wolf’s effort to re-open different parts of the state in a phased system. The statement was signed by Matthew Yarnell, president of the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Pennsylvania.

“Frontline essential caregivers go to work every day wrapped in garbage bags and reusing single-use masks because they lack PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), knowing they don’t have access to rapid, reliable testing, and going for weeks without paychecks when they need to quarantine because they are not being given paid sick time. We cannot afford a second surge without proper precautions in place.”

Arguing state recovery plans “cannot be based on politics and ideology,” the union argued Pennsylvania needs four things to make a safe return to more normal business:

•Permanent Preparedness for Healthcare Crises. Stockpiled personal protective equipment and widespread, rapid testing and contact tracing.

• Essential Benefits for Essential Workers. Paid sick time and essential worker pay.

• A Healthcare System Driven by Care, Not Profit. Safe patient limits for hospitals and nursing homes and fair funding for home care.

• A Strong and Respected Voice for Frontline Staff. Caregivers need a seat at every table where healthcare decisions are being made.

“We cannot further burden our healthcare system or go back to the failed system that set the stage for what we are experiencing no,” Yarnell said in the statement. “We will continue to advocate and fight for a more just healthcare system that protects all workers and those we care for.”