First union vote at Backus is today

Norwich - Security officers, dispatchers, traffic control officers and shuttle bus drivers at The William W. Backus Hospital will vote today on whether to become the first employee group at the hospital to unionize.

The Michigan-based International Union, Security, Police & Fire Professionals of America, the largest independent union for security workers, began an organizing effort at the hospital three months ago, said Dwayne Phillips, international director at large of the 40,000-member union. He said one of the workers contacted the union through its website.

There are 39 Backus employees who will be eligible to vote in the election. Results should be available by this evening, Phillips said. He noted that the hospital grouped shuttle drivers, switchboard operators, dispatchers and information desk employees with the security officers as among those eligible to vote and join the union if it is approved.

Union representatives met with the security staff Tuesday.

"There were a variety of issues that came up - safety and safety equipment, seniority not being honored in vacations and promotions, and of course pay is always an issue," Phillips said.

Backus spokesman Shawn Mawhiney said the hospital sees no need for security workers to unionize.

"Backus has never had a union," he said. "We believe that representation by a third party is unnecessary and not in the best interests of this community institution."

Phillips said that while there are no unions at Backus, some of the security staff have been previously employed as police officers in unionized departments and believe union membership would be beneficial.

j.benson@theday.com