The United Steelworkers Union USW is hoping for a big turnout on Thursday November 19 at the Save Our Community Hospitals Rally in Braddock, PA. The rally will take place at 2:00 PM at Fifth and Braddock Ave.
An eblast to members read, "We need HUNDREDS, No THOUSANDS of people in the streets of Braddock on Thursday, Nov. 19 DEMANDING THAT OUR HOSPITAL STAY OPEN and community hospitals throughout the U.S.A. stay open."
To date these are the groups endorsing the November 19, 2009 Save Our Community Hospitals rally in Braddock: Western PA Job with Justice, PA Fair Trade Coalition, United Steelworkers, Battle of Homestead Foundation, Western PA Coalition for Single Payer Healthcare, Pennsylvanians United for Single Payer Healthcare/Healthcare for all PA, Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees, District 10, Greater Braddock Ministerial Association.
UPMC serves many USW retirees and widows who live in Braddock and the surrounding communities. And members of Braddock's Local 1219 put their own money into the rebuilding of the hospital. Closing the hospital is a safety issue for these people.
The hospital was originally establshed in 1906. UPMC purchased it in 1996. Approximately 600 people who work at the hospital are union members.
A spokesperson for USW said that the union is investigating getting an injunction to stop the closure of Braddock Hospital. "Other communities have done that. We are going to have to fight," she said.
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