Local workers attempt to change UPMC culture (Pittsburgh: fit in, how much)

[Clint.]

From what I understand there are already a few unionized groups at UPMC, but this could be the largest one yet: UPMC nonclinical staff pursue union - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Best of luck to them and I admire their courage to be interviewed by the major local newspaper; Paul Wood and Jeff Romoff have probably circled their names. UPMC, while having some high paid administrators and clinical staff, is notoriously stingy toward the lower rung workers.

I hope this effort successfully drives up wages at this cash-flush company that, because of its monopolistic size, is able to strictly control wages offered to regional workers.

[Hopes]

Kudos to them for taking a stand against UPMC.

I had no idea so many UPMC employees made such little money. So sad.

Love that just the talk about unions is inspiring UPMC to change the wage structure.

But the wage increases aren't big enough. I hope these little raises don't stop them from unionizing.

[heartchya]

UPMC pay is so low. I interviewed there and with a smaller company. The pay at the smaller company was $5 more an hour for pretty much the same position. I hope the employees really end up getting the raises they deserve.

[PeterRabbit]

Unions are a large part of the downfall of our country. GM is forced to pay $29 an hour while Honda pays $13 for the same non-union job. Union demands drive prices up for us consumers.

[I_Like_Spam]

UPMC is in a pretty powerful position vis-a-vis the medical market here in the Pittsburgh region. It really doesn't give employees in health care much of an out if they don't like what they are offering.

However, bringing outsiders like the SEIU and the labor unrest and possible strikes into the business isn't much of an answer.

[heartchya]

Originally Posted by PeterRabbit

Unions are a large part of the downfall of our country. GM is forced to pay $29 an hour while Honda pays $13 for the same non-union job. Union demands drive prices up for us consumers.

I don't think the union idea is a great one. However I do think it is ridiculous that someone working at UPMC for 10 years is making under $10 an hour.

[hinsey86]

I was a member of SEIU in Seattle and it was the lowest pay I have encountered in my position. I make 20% more here for same type of position and even higher higher in VA, NC,SC and MD....all non union. The only difference the union made is in leave benefits.....and union dues.

[Clint.]

Originally Posted by heartchya

I don't think the union idea is a great one. However I do think it is ridiculous that someone working at UPMC for 10 years is making under $10 an hour.

Unions can be as imprudent as any other organization, no doubt, and don't always make decisions in their best long-term interests. $10 after ten years is pretty bad for such a profitable company, though, and I tend to think his story is more typical than an outlier for his kind of job there.

At least these jobs can't be relocated to another state or country, although they will try to outsource what they can to the developing world (Highmark outsources quite a bit of IT work to India). The whole healthcare and not-for-profit industry is a mess, not just here but nationally.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

The problem with wage suppression with UPMC is well documented, but there's one aspect of the company most don't know about: the "contractor" debacle. UPMC is one of the many local companies who hire "contractors" to do the same work as "full time UPMC employees" but at a lower pay rate with reduced benefits (health care, paid time off, 401k, etc.). What it amounts to is that talented workers are reduced to "permatemp" status with the glimmer of hope that one day they'll be "full time employees" with actual benefits.

If UPMC does raise salaries, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see them hire more "contractors" as well as H1-B's. Good thing such a stellar company runs our entire city.

[hnsq]

Originally Posted by Brookline_sylvia

Unions can be as imprudent as any other organization, no doubt, and don't always make decisions in their best long-term interests. $10 after ten years is pretty bad for such a profitable company, though, and I tend to think his story is more typical than an outlier for his kind of job there.

At least these jobs can't be relocated to another state or country, although they will try to outsource what they can to the developing world (Highmark outsources quite a bit of IT work to India). The whole healthcare and not-for-profit industry is a mess, not just here but nationally.

But why should the length of time a person has worked the job have anything to do with how much they are paid? If pushing a person in a wheelchair (an unskilled job) is only worth $10/hr, why should a person be paid more simply because they did it for 10 years? It is up to the individual to build the skills so that they can earn more money. If a person doesn't like what they are being paid, why don't they work on getting a new job, or move to a different city?