UCSF rehab workers win wage scale increases, but double down on their demand for fair workplaces
On May 2, over 30 UCSF physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists delivered a petition to Maurine Coco, Director of Rehabilitation Services, demanding weekend pay differentials, adequate staffing, and pay equity.
Weekend shift requirements for inpatient adult rehab therapists have increased over the past few years. Therapists are currently required to work two weekend days every five weeks, up from one weekend day per month a few years ago. Rehab therapists have not been compensated for the increased time away from their families and personal lives, and the lack of extra pay for working weekends has led to short-staffing because many therapists have left UCSF for jobs with fewer weekend requirements or higher weekend pay.
"In May, our rehab team at UCSF came together as a group to write and present a letter to management requesting action to address low staffing, weekend and holiday differentials, internal equity reviews, and optimal scheduling practices. We had approximately 30 staff members come together in solidarity to present the letter. We are awaiting collaboration from management to put into action the change we want to see," said Giselle Kurywchak, a senior physical therapist in Parnassus Inpatient Rehabilitative Services.
Understaffing in rehabilitative services causes delays in patients' recoveries and discharges. When discharges are delayed, fewer patients are able to receive UCSF's world-class treatment.
Management has already responded to some of the workers' concerns by raising the wage scales for some occupational therapist and speech-language pathologist job classifications, which were underpaid compared to physical therapists and the more senior classifications within their professions. Rehab therapists will be meeting with their management in mid-July to insist on pay equity for all classifications in the department, as well as weekend pay differentials to address staffing shortages.