Public Employee Press

Contracting IN
Union members build new unit at Queens Hospital

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

QUEENS HOSPITAL CENTER recently opened its fourth floor west wing, proudly unveiling a unit built entirely by unionized staff who renovated a former psychiatric ward and transformed it into a cheery 40-bed ward that provides quality health care for southeast Queens residents.

"The hospital did not have to hire private contractors because they have seasoned employees and experienced tradespeople on staff," said DC 37 Professional Division Director Nola Brooker.

The unionized employees saved the Health and Hospitals Corp. at least $500,000 as they rebuilt the wing in nine months for $3.2 million without the huge cost overruns and expensive delays that plague contracted-out capital projects.

The team included Local 375 Architects, Engineers and Project Managers, Local 924 Laborers, and Carpenters, Electricians, Steamfitters, Plumbers and Painters - many of the same job titles HHC planned to fire under its misguided "Road Ahead" cutback plan until union lawsuits froze the layoff process.

Services and savings

"We have been vigilant in the fight for our members to do the work rather than let the city contract it out," said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts.
"Having members do this project has improved patient care at an important community facility and saved HHC a half-million dollars."

The renovation was designed to complement the hospital's grand, new pavilion and atrium that were part of a 10-year $149 million capital improvement plan. Overburdened by three hospital closings in the borough, the Queens hospital has more than 300 beds and cares for about 135,000 people a year. Oversight of the 4 West project involved several executive directors: Tony Martin initiated the plan that George Proctor and later Julius Wull saw completed.
"We were responsible for installing tile, removing debris and cleaning up during the demolition and construction process," said Laborer Steve Lupo, a Local 924 shop steward.

Lupo and the hospital's nine Laborers also assisted Carpenters, Steamfitters and other hospital employees in the skilled trades, taking down walls to reconfigure the space. Union crews removed old duct work as they relocated the Nurses' station and removed the glass and steel doors of the old locked ward.

Today the new 4 West is a bright state-of-the-art unit. Its Nurses' station has a console of computers and communications equipment and its wide corridors lead visitors to newly configured hospital rooms and lavatories that meet state codes.

"Our work helped protect lives and make sure quality health care is available for the people of this community," said Local 924 President Kyle Simmons.
Support staff represented by DC 37 work with professionalism and efficiency to help doctors, nurses and technicians provide quality health care. Social Workers in Local 768 arrange for home care services and prepare patients for discharge to rehab or longterm care facilities. Local 768 Chapter Chair Albert Willingham, known to many as "the mayor" of the facility, chairs its Labor Caucus and serves on the local Community Board.

Experienced staff

"It's my job to make sure patients are safe and have services like Meals on Wheels, visiting nurses or an attendant to help them at home," said Social Worker Nikki Simpkins.

Hospital Care Investigators in Local 371 interview patients and arrange financing, Medicaid eligibility, and Medicare for infirm seniors. Licensed Professional Nurses in Local 420 attend to patients during their stay. Housekeepers make beds and clean rooms to high standards to make sure the facility is always sanitary.

Clerical Associates in Local 1549 process patients' records and discharge them. Therapists in Local 299 lend a listening ear and help allay the fears and concerns of patients and their families. Therapist Darlene Barry said, "We help patients maintain proper support emotionally and physically as they recover."

"The best part of this renovation is that if something goes wrong, Queens Hospital Center has experienced employees on staff to fix it," said Brooker. "There is a measure of accountability and pride in the job that goes far beyond what private contractors offer."