Amnesty International jumping in on side of 1199SEIU workers in health coverage tussle

CELESTE KATZ

Human rights group Amnesty International is wading into the a massive hospital-worker union's fight to maintain their own free health coverage.

As 1199SEIU on Thursday returned to contract talks with the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes of New York employer group, Amnesty Executive Director Steven Hawkins on Thursday vowed to mobilize his 3 million members to back the workers.

“Workers’ rights are human rights. Fair pay is a human right. Equity is a human right. And quality healthcare benefits are a human right,” said Hawkins, whose organization claims 60,000 members in New York.

“Amnesty International stands with 1199SEIU and the 110,000 nurses and caregivers in negotiations. We demand dignity for healthcare workers as they care for our families and communities.”

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