Dozens of workers and supporters rallied Tuesday to protest program cuts and layoffs at Boston Health Care for the Homeless.
The nonprofit announced plans to lay off 25 staff and close the Stacy Kirkpatrick House, a respite facility where homeless people were able to stay after being discharged from hospitals. Protesters argue those service cuts and low wages for remaining staff demonstrate how the nonprofit has lost its sense of mission.
Among the layoffs were several addiction recovery coaches, including Andre Groomes, who saw some of his patients at the rally outside the facility in Boston’s South End.
“I really love them,” Groomes said. “I care for them so much and when I leave it’s going to hurt me. And I want to say I wish the best for you.”
One of those people, Fernando Gillis, said he didn’t know what he’ll do without Groomes and others at the center who’ve helped him.
“Who do I call?” Gillis asked. “I’ll be back out here in the streets. What happens then? Who do I turn to if I have a bad day and I feel like getting high? Where’s my recovery coach?”
Craig LeMoult
GBH News
Case manager Astrid Mora accused the organization of not negotiating in good faith to provide a living wage for most workers.
“There’s no money to give us raises this year. So imagine our surprise when we learned that the nurses were receiving a 13% increase,” she said to boos from the crowd. “And yes, our nurses deserve it, absolutely. But so do we.”
In a written statement, Boston Health Care for the Homeless said the organization made the “painful decision to eliminate some positions” as it faces one of the most difficult financial periods in its 40-year history.
“We fully respect the rights of our unionized colleagues to express their concerns, and we remain committed to bargaining with our union in good faith to reach agreement on an initial collective bargaining agreement,” the statement read.
“Our priority continues to be the patients who rely on us every day. We are taking every step to safeguard the quality of care they receive. At the same time, we are offering competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits to our valued employees.”
Among the local politicians at Tuesday’s rally was Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia, who pledged support to the union workers.
“We’re sending a loud message that you can’t have CEOs and nonprofit leaders and people making hundreds of thousands of dollars, when you all can’t even get your $15 or $20 an hour work,” Mejia said.
The layoffs are scheduled to go into effect on Oct. 10.
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