If you drive from Northeast Baltimore towards the Inner Harbor, amidst the dreary browns and grays of the city, a large yellow banner adorning the entire side of a brick building shouts out like a traffic light…

MARCH ON HOPKINS!!! LEAVE THE PLANTATION!!!

Its alarming yellow casts an eerie presence over the block.  It is telling us that Johns Hopkins, that prestigious beacon of all-that-is-good in Baltimore, may not be so good for everyone.

The almighty Hopkins refuses to agree on a wage increase for their lowest-wage workers. These workers went on strike for three days after failed negotiations. They claim they must rely on government benefits to survive because Hopkins doesn’t pay enough.

Hopkins says it can’t afford a pay increase. You can read the President’s response to the strike here.

Carietta Heirs, a union representative, is not convinced:

It’s the No. 1 hospital. We give you No. 1 support to make you the No. 1 hospital. They (the workers) deserve it.

And as for the reference to modern day slavery – ironically enough, Johns Hopkins himself grew up on a tobacco plantation, but his family joined the Quakers when he was young and freed their slaves.

He then grew up to become a prominent abolitionist.

Mr. Hopkins, if he could hear the comparison people are making, would surely roll over in his grave.