UHW caregivers shine the spotlight on MPTF nursing home closing
Yesterday, UHW members stood side-by-side with residents, their families, elected officials and actors Billy Dee Williams (“The Empire Strikes Back”), John Schneider (“Smallville,” “Dukes of Hazzard”) and David Carradine (“Kill Bill,” “Kung Fu”) to protest the imminent closing of the Motion Picture Television Fund acute-care hospital and long-term care residence. The crowd of over a hundred people was greeted by Mayra Torres, a UHW member and health promotions representative at the nursing home, who spoke eloquently of the heartache she and her patients are experiencing over the loss of the home.
Other speakers included John Schneider, residents, hospital patients, and family members including Daniel Quinn, whose mother Rosemary will be one of the patients displaced if the home closes. Daniel says of UHW members, “The quality of care that our loved ones receive from these dedicated caregivers is truly remarkable. The love and commitment they’ve shown… they’re really like members of the family.”
The rally drew coverage from several news outlets, including a front-page story at the LA Daily News, the LA Times, KFWB radio, and TV stations including Channel 2 and Channel 7.
Links:
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=6620373&rss=rss-kabc-article-6620373
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_11533174 (includes a link to photo gallery!)
‘Tis the Season for a Fair Contract!
On Thursday, December 18, UHW members at Centinela Hospital held a rally in front of the hospital to demand a fair contract.
On Thursday, December 18, UHW members at Centinela Hospital held a rally in front of the hospital to demand a fair contract. UHW members from Garden Grove Hospital and Encino Medical Center came out in support of their struggle. They were also joined by many community and elected leaders: Mayor Dorn of Inglewood, Inglewood City Council Member Danny Tabor, a representative from State Assembly Member Curren Price and Minister Tony Mohammed. The rally was a great success, but the members at Centinela plan to keep the pressure on to get the fair contract they deserve.
Shining our Light on the Daughters of Charity
On December 17, UHW members at Daughters of Charity facilities held powerful candlelight vigils to call on management to return to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith. It’s time for the Daughters of Charity to agree to standards achieved at Kaiser and Catholic Healthcare West. Daughters of Charity members will continue to take action until they win a fair contract!
The candlelight vigils received great support from elected, religious, and community leaders. Even though the State Legislature held an emergency session to deal with the budget crisis, elected officials sent representatives to support our campaign to win a fair contract. Attendees included:
- Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese
- Former California State Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Sally Lieber
- Representative of California State Senator Leland Yee
- Representative of California State Assemblymember Anna Caballero
- Representative of California State Assemblymember Paul Fong
- Representative of San Jose City Councilmember Kansen Chu
- San Mateo Central Labor Council President Linda Gregory
- Pastor Wilson de Ocerra
- Reverend Carol Been
Sutter Amador Hospital Employees to Vote on Joining UHW, call for fair, respectful process
On Oct. 30, 350 hospital and clinic workers at Sutter Amador Hospital representing all healthcare classifications, including RNs, CNAs, Rad Techs, Cooks, Pharmacists, and Medical Assistants filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board for an election to establish UHW as their union representative.
Previously the hospital workers had been represented by SEIU local 4988, but since 2007 have worked with United Healthcare Workers-West to further improve work conditions and patient care at their facility by implementing UHW’s collective bargaining agreement with Sutter Health.
“UHW is a healthcare union that understands the needs and problems associated with working in a healthcare environment. I feel it’s vital for us to continue with this representation.” - Joanne Shugart, Radiologic Technologist
A strong majority of workers have signed on to a petition authorizing UHW as their representative after Sutter Health refused to accept the transfer from Local 4988. A delegation of workers informed Sutter Amador of the filing and asked management to sign a Fair Election agreement that would provide for:
• An environment free from coercion, intimidation, promises and threats;
• No mandatory meetings about the union;
• No lies or misleading information;
• Union access to bulletin boards and conference rooms
• Quick resolution of disputes
An election date has not yet been scheduled.
Prime Healthcare Purchases Encino Medical Center & Garden Grove Hospital
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Nearly 2,000 California hospital workers join UHW
Nearly 2,000 California hospital workers from four hospitals and clinics celebrated union victories during the past 3 weeks as they voted in overwhelming numbers to join United Healthcare Workers-West. It's the biggest increase in members in one month for any union within SEIU. The union elections were held at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood; Catholic Healthcare West operated clinics in Sacramento; Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside; and Coastal Communities Hospital in Santa Ana.
