LACROSSE, Wis. – Hospital workers rallied outside the CenturyTel Building at Riverside Park to call on Gundersen Health System to pay a living wage. Speakers called for $15 an hour. The rally was organized by the Service Employees International Union. The union chose the CenturyTel site for the rally because Gundersen recently invested $5.5 million cash for a half-interest with no clear medical-related purpose. Several speakers said they put their lives at risk in a CoVid environment, work long hours, and dedicate themselves to caring for patients but live paycheck to paycheck. Dietary aide Lance Helgeson said there has been no hazard pay during the pandemic. His own medical care, he said, has put him in debt. The president of the La Crosse teachers union, John Havlicek, made solidarity comments. “If workers can’t find family-sustaining jobs and family-sustaining wages, the community dies,” he said. “This is not just a matter of a few people here and there losing jobs, the entire community feels the effects.”
Earlier: Gundersen buys into CenturyTel building: Why?
Earlier: Gundersen unmoved by protesters
Gundersen v. Mayo wages
Housekeeper Alyssa Betz said that starting pay for her Gundersen job is $10.77. At Mayo, she said, the same job starts at $14.50. Now, after seven years, she said, she makes around $16 an hour. Not a living wage, she said.