Stationary engineers employed by Adventist Health and Rideout hospital in Marysville commenced a strike this week, with picketing observed on Tuesday along hospital property on 3rd Street. The action comes as union representatives from Stationary Engineers Local 39 assert a contract dispute has persisted for over three and a half years without resolution. The primary aim of the strike, according to union officials, is to secure a fair market wage and a fair pension for the hospital's essential maintenance staff.
Tom Medellin and Eddie Ramirez, Union Representatives for Stationary Engineers Local 39, explained the critical role these engineers play within the facility. They are responsible for the hospital’s utilities, crucial repairs, and all preventative maintenance. Ramirez further elaborated that these engineers serve as the facility’s first responders in any emergency involving the hospital’s utilities. Their duties include repairing med-gas outlets, which are vital for patient care, and generally upholding the life and safety infrastructure of the entire hospital. Ramirez stated their clear objective, saying, "All we want is a fair market wage and a fair pension.”
The protracted negotiations for a new labor contract have stretched for three and a half years, according to Medellin. Union representatives confirmed that the union ultimately voted to strike after multiple negotiation sessions failed to yield an agreement. Employees represented by Local 39 were seen walking the sidewalk, carrying blue and white signs to publicly advertise their strike.
In response to the labor action, Adventist Health and Rideout hospital issued an unsigned news release acknowledging the situation. The hospital stated that Local 39 is actively bargaining with them on a contract representing facilities employees. Despite the strike, the hospital affirmed that its operations would continue normally and that patients would persist in receiving the same high level of care and service they experience daily. The hospital also conveyed its disappointment with Local 39’s decision to strike but emphasized its respect for the union’s legal rights to conduct picketing. Furthermore, the hospital reiterated its commitment to continue negotiating in good faith, stressing its appreciation for the quality care and service that all its associates bring to patients and the community.
Ramirez articulated the union’s perspective, stating that they are striving to achieve fair and reasonable compensation for their members. He highlighted that their counterparts in similar positions typically earn significantly more. The union representative underscored that the engineers working at Adventist Health and Rideout are all local residents, and the union's focus is on ensuring a fair deal that is comparable to current market standards. Ramirez explained that despite agreement on many aspects with the hospital’s labor relations personnel, a core disconnect persisted, preventing progress on the contract.
Stationary Engineers Local 39, headquartered in San Francisco, holds a long history, having been established in the 1890s, according to public records. Attempts to contact a labor relations representative or media representative on behalf of the hospital regarding the strike were ongoing. The media contact link provided on the hospital’s official website reportedly resulted in a "404: Page Not Found Message," indicating a difficulty in reaching official spokespersons.