Radiation therapists strike at Ascension Via Christi over pay, staffing

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Radiation therapists at Ascension Via Christi’s cancer center went on strike Wednesday, asking for fair pay and better staffing.

The cancer center employs 12 radiation therapists who perform cancer treatments using radiation.

“We had been in negotiations since March...and they just kept coming back and telling us there was nothing they could do, so we went on strike,” said Jo Travis, a radiation therapist at Ascension Via Christi Cancer Center.

Hospital response

Ascension Via Christi sent a statement that reads in part: “Treatments are proceeding as scheduled... Our focus remains on supporting a safe, sustainable path forward.”

The hospital has contracted with radiation therapy specialists to ensure cancer treatments are not interrupted.

“I think they wanted to make us cave and not ask for a raise,” Travis said.

Pay concerns

The radiation therapists say they are being paid 40% under market value, citing Kansas City and Oklahoma City as comparisons. They say if the strike continues long enough, they will be forced to leave Wichita.

“It would be a big move, but you have to do what you have to do,” said Meghan Allan, a radiation therapist at Ascension Via Christi Cancer Center.

One therapist said she has been working three jobs to compensate for her pay at the hospital.

Patient care

The therapists say their higher priority is their patients, who they say are currently being overbooked.

“I love my job. It is very rewarding, it is treating cancer patients and saving lives all day, and it’s a very rewarding career,” said Lanay Schoenhoff, a radiation therapist at Ascension Via Christi Cancer Center.

The therapists urge Ascension to negotiate with them so they can return to treating patients.

Ascension Via Christi says it will continue to contract with radiation therapy specialists as long as needed. The radiation therapists say they are prepared to be on strike until Ascension negotiates with them.

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