FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE A coalition of community, labor, and human rights groups are joining forces Thursday (March 20) to observe the 45th Anniversary of the start of the Charleston hospital strike. The event at the (MUSC) Medical University of South Carolina’s Horseshoe from 3-4pm will honor veterans of the historic strike, including Mary Moultrie who was a strike spokeswoman and leader. The supporting organizations intend to draw attention to the “unfinished business” of the strike, which involved more than five hundred African American workers at MUSC (then the Medical College Hospital of South Carolina) and Charleston County Hospital in the spring and summer of 1969. Organizers say that Thursday’s event offers an opportunity to refocus the community’s efforts on improving the hospital’s working culture, enhancing patient care, and embracing humane healthcare policies. “These are the essential components of a quality healthcare landscape for South Carolina,” said Leonard Riley, a longshoreman and community activist. “We believe there is a connection between a well-paid and fairly treated workforce, excellent patient care, and sound public policy.” The endorsers of Thursday’s event include MUSC Healthcare Workers’ United; Carolina Alliance for Fair Employment; The Coalition: People United to Take Back our Community; South Carolina Progressive Network; Carolina Raise Up!; International Longshoremen’s Association (Local 1422); Physicians for a National Health Program; and the SC AFL-CIO Contact: Kerry Taylor CAFÉ Coordinator kerryt33@gmail 919-923-4023
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 04:38:39 +0000