Hospital staff from 1199 SEIU rallied outside Middletown’s Garnet Health Medical Center on Thursday, calling on management to agree to what they said was a fair contract with wage increases tied to cost of living expenses. Staff said they’ve worked without a contract since September. 

“There are people who have to choose between paying their rent or coming to work, or even eating dinner," said Nursing Unit Coordinator Nina Geiss. "People live in their cars who work at this facility full time, and that is absolutely outrageous.” 

In a statement, Garnet Health said that it is negotiating in good faith with the union for a resolution that is fair and beneficial to all, and that “we are fully committed to our valuable workforce as well as all residents of Sullivan and Orange Counties.”

Staff said they just want to be treated like the essential workers they were celebrated as during the height of COVID-19.

“We were told were essential," said Nursing United Coordinator Ashley Frias. "We were told we were heroes throughout this whole thing, but heroes aren't left in the dark. We can't afford to keep the lights on at all.”

Garnet Health says patient care has not been impacted during the picket.