Local 655 to hold election for hospital workers

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655 has filed with the National Labor Relations Board to hold an organizing election for food-service workers at Christian Hospital Northeast in Hazelwood.

The hospital contracts with Compass Group USA for its food service. Local 655 won an election last year with food-service workers at Washington University employed by Bon Appetite, which is owned by Compass Group.

Food-service workers at the hospital told Local 655 organizers that vacation time, wages, and a lack of respect at work are issues they would like a union to help them address. About 70 food-service workers would be included in the election. The NLRB had not yet set a date for the election last week.

“This election is reflective of a part of our mission that we take seriously – growing the Labor Movement and growing this union family,” Local 655 President David Cook said. “Greater union density means better wages and benefits for everyone, and all workers deserve a job with good wages and good benefits.”