Aliya Schneider is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media 1199 SEIU, United Healthcare Workers East held an informational picket as scheduled, Wed., Dec. 17, at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson. The picket was conducted to call attention to the stalled contract negotiations brought about by a labor-management disagreement over salary increases and health-care costs. The picket took place from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and again from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. As many as 70 workers gathered as the afternoon event progressed, standing and marching on Columbia Street in 20-degree temperatures. Cars and emergency vehicles driving by honked to show support. The workers were joined on the line by Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson, Common Council President Thomas DePietro, Mayor's Aide Michael Chameides and 4th Ward Supervisor Linda Mussmann. Employees do not picket during their work hours, 1199 SEIU spokeswoman Mindy Berman was careful to point out. The purpose of an informational picket is to inform the public, she said. Note: Johnson and DePietro are WGXC volunteer on-air programmers. Read more at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.