This letter is concerning the restricted participation of some employees of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital (MVH) to observe Martin Luther King Jr. and Juneteenth holidays.
This letter is concerning the restricted participation of some employees of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital (MVH) to observe Martin Luther King Jr. and Juneteenth holidays.
I participated in several Juneteenth events this year and heard a rumor that some MVH employees were not able to observe this holiday. Following some investigation, I learned that although MVH employees not in a union are able to observe all national holidays, employees of the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East who work at MVH in their contract ending March 31, 2025 are entitled to 11 paid holidays including their birthday. These entitled holidays do not include the federally recognized Martin Luther King Jr. birthday and Juneteenth holidays. The contract also states that a worker may swap their birthday holiday for the MLK or Juneteenth holiday by no later than the prior Dec. 1.
The non-inclusion of MLK and the Juneteenth holidays in the entitled paid holidays and the restriction of swapping an employees birthday for only the MLK or Juneteenth holidays is offensive.
I have called 1199SEIU several times without a response. Representatives of the MVH would not discuss the details of the approved 1199SEIU contract.
Questions that should be answered by 1199SEIU representatives include the following: Does the new 1199SEIU contract include the same holiday entitlements and restrictions? If so, why has the MLK and Juneteenth holidays been treated in this manner? Has this issue been discussed with 1199SEIU employees.
I believe that the new 1199SEIU contract has been approved by the MVH. If the restrictions on the observance of MLK and Juneteenth holidays persist, what is the response of MVH to these restrictions?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Juneteenth are important contributions to U.S. history and are federal holidays. They appear to be diminished by the 1199SEIU contract and by extension the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
I look forward to a fuller explanation from both of them this issue.
David M. Allen, MD, MPH Oak Bluffs
Comments
I wholeheartedly agree with
Salem Mekuria Oak BluffsI wholeheartedly agree with the questions that the union and the hospital must answer. It will be interesting to know the list of all federal holidays that they observe. Thanks David for raising the issue.
Columbus Day better known as
Orette Inez Patrick San Francisco, CAColumbus Day better known as Indigenous Peoples Day is observed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Juneteenth are important contributions to U.S. history and are currently federal holidays. Employers & unions should not require employees to swap out their birthday to observe either of these important milestones in our country. All Americans should be proud of the progress made and celebrate our growth.
David has brought up an issue
Andrea Cisco Vineyard HavenDavid has brought up an issue of great importance to many. Operating with 2 standards for holiday observation in the same organization is fodder for disunity and disruption among colleagues. Those with the limited observation of these holidays often feel like second class citizens.
Hopefully, there will be an equitable solution.
I encourage MVH to address this situation with as much transparency and care as possible.
Thank you for bringing this
Rita EdgThank you for bringing this up. I look forward to hearing the explanations from the union & from MVH.
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