JOB SAFETY was the issue that brought dozens of Local 420 members to the union April 17. Local President Carmen Charles (3rd from right) participated in the training sessions led by staff of the DC 37 Safety Department.

Hospital workers who want to protect their safety and health on the job recently attended a Saturday training program organized by Municipal Hospital Employees Local 420 with the assistance of District Council 37’s Safety and Health Dept.

The well-attended session — “Knowing Our Rights, and Documenting Our Issues,” started at 9:00 a.m. and ran until 2:30 p.m. April 17 at union headquarters.

The program featured two main training sessions, “What are our rights on the job?” and “Identifying hazards in our workplace.” Lisa Baum and Guille Mejia, Principal Program Coordinators of the Safety and Health Dept., led the workshops.

Members and shop stewards appreciated the information they received at the two workshops. “It definitely helps me,” said Eddie Olavarria, a seven-year veteran who works at Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx. “I wasn’t sure what person or department I was supposed to call in certain situations. Now I understand who I’m supposed to contact in case there’s a problem in my department,” he said.

“Information to share”
Ruby Stewart, a Patient Care Associate who works in surgical medical clinics, also found the workshops helpful. “Now I have some information that I can share with the members in my hospital,” said Ms. Stewart.

Participants also had lunch together and heard from Local 420 President Carmen Charles. “Making sure our members are safe on the job is a very important function of the union. It’s great to see so many members taking advantage of this workshop on a Saturday when I know you have so many other responsibilities,” she said.

“This shows how serious everyone here is about serving the needs of our members. Local 420 encourages them to keep up the good work,” she added.