A federal antitrust complaint claims nearly every category of worker within Pennsylvania's largest medical system is subject to unfair labor practices, according to the filing submitted Thursday to the U.S. Department of Justice.
SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, the state's largest union for health care workers, and the Strategic Organization Center are asking federal prosecutors to investigate UPMC for potential violations of antitrust laws. SOC describes itself as a democratic coalition of three labor unions: SEIU, the Communications Workers of America and the United Farmworkers of America.
In their complaint, the organizations claim that UPMC's anti-competitive practices suppress wages and prevent employees from advocating for better working conditions while discouraging people from seeking other employment options out of fear of an alleged "Do not rehire' list."
SEIU and SOC say that across the board — from doctors and nurses to housekeeping and food service staff — UPMC hospital workers make an average of 2% less when compared to employees at other health care systems.
Among those most harmed are licensed practical nurses, or LPNs, who earn about $1.31 an hour less than their counterparts at other health systems. Dietary workers, who work on a contract basis, earn about $6.00 less an hour.
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