Raises, Rewards, Respect for UHW Members in Modesto
SEIU UHW members who work for Hospital Housekeeping Systems at Tenet's Doctor's Medical Center of Modesto just won BIG improvements to pay, benefits, and respect on the job. The rank-and-file members of our bargaining team stood together with their co-workers and won a great new contract. Last week, the membership voted overwhelmingly to approve a new contract with raises of 3.5 to 7.5 percent and much more.
"While most people are worried about just keeping their jobs, we won good raises. We stuck together and stayed strong in SEIU UHW, and now we can see the benefits," said Tami Gilmore, a member of the bargaining team.
UHW members also bargained for a series of "firsts" in this new contract, including a wage scale to reward experience, call-in pay, new shift differentials, and improvements to the call-off and cancellation system. Click here to read more from the bargaining team.
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Workers Win Big at LA's Good Samaritan
Last week, SEIU UHW members at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles who work for Crothall, Inc. voted unanimously to approve a new contract agreement that secures significant improvements including raises, minimum hiring rates, better healthcare coverage, employer-paid dental coverage, new vision coverage, and more.
"We secured a bright future thanks to our union. You can definitely feel the excitement in the air over our achievements," said Juana Herrera, SEIU UHW bargaining team member and steward.
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Members Fight Sutter Hospital Layoffs
The roughly 5,000 SEIU UHW members who work at Sutter California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) hospitals are fighting back against management's plan to layoff 200 employees and make other cuts that could jeopardize staffing, quality, and patient care. While Sutter claims the layoffs are necessary to save money, for the last five years Sutter has reported operating income exceeding $428 million each year.
"People across California are losing their jobs, and the health care industry is not immune," said Marcelino Robies, a member of the UHW bargaining team at CPMC. "However, if Sutter cuts 200 workers, the quality of the service at the hospital will go down. We must unite as health care workers to fight for our families and patients."
Our rank-and-file member leaders will negotiate every lost job and hour in an impact bargaining session scheduled for April 30th. "We will pursue every avenue possible to protect those jobs and make sure that management is not using the economy as an excuse to cut staff and harm patient care," said Dave Regan, SEIU UHW trustee. Click here to read more. More members are needed for the Bargaining Team. To get involved, call 510-869-2229.
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Continuing to Fight for Fresno Home Care Workers
Now that Fresno County may be able to use a contract clause--negotiated by disgraced former UHW leaders--allowing them to cut home care worker wages by a proposed $1.10 an hour, SEIU UHW members are springing to action. We're taking the proposed cuts to arbitration to protect worker wages and home care recipient services. We will not allow the county to take this financial crisis out on the backs of our members, the elderly, or people with disabilities. Click here to read more.
Unfortunately, the quality of Fresno home care is under another attack, which has the potential of leaving the county's 10,000 home care workers without union protections. This past Thursday Fresno County approved a petition calling for an election that could de-authorize SEIU UHW as bargaining agent.
The startup organization, which is solely responsible for these attacks, is not the "boss" but the former, disgraced leadership of UHW. Unfortunately, they have been spreading misinformation to our home care members and are even willing to risk leaving workers with no union during these tough economic times. But already our members are speaking out.
"I was told that UHW did not represent me anymore. When somebody lies to you, you know you can't trust them. I'm sticking with SEIU UHW," said Randy Jimenez, a Fresno home care worker.
"An election could lead to us not having a union or being with a new union and having to bargain a new contract. After I signed and got the facts, I asked the country to take my signature off the list," said Jackie Peppers, a Fresno home care worker.
Fresno home care members will have the chance to vote and defend the union they helped build during an election this summer. To get involved in helping to protect Fresno home care services and jobs, call 866-661-2829.
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A Note of Thanks from "The Encino 8"
In early April, we were laid off without notice and in violation of our collective bargaining agreement. As fellow SEIU UHW members, we want to thank everyone for supporting us, for signing petitions, and for standing behind us. Because of our unity and strength, last week we GOT OUR JOBS BACK! In this economy, that's no small victory.
We are dedicated to providing quality care to our patients at Prime Healthcare's Encino Medical Center. Now we can continue that work. Our victory would not have been possible without your help.
In Solidarity,
"The Encino 8": Maria Chavez, CNA * Teresa Jadoc, CNA * Dorthy Fru, CNA * Mandeep Atwal, CNA * Maria Rosa Nalasco, CNA * Maria Ruelas, CNA * Delmey Pineda, CNA * Igar Bekker, RT
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News from SEIU...
Take Action: Bank of "America" Needs to Keep New Jobs at Home
After receiving $199.2 billion in federal assistance from US taxpayers and announcing plans to add 35,000 more layoffs to the 34,000 jobs cut since 2004, this weekend the New York Post reported that Bank of America has outsourced 15,000 jobs to India. Read a full report on the bank's predatory practices. Help us collect 30,000 "taxpayer proxy cards" to deliver to Bank of America on Wednesday. Tomorrow join citizens around the country or create your own event to demand that CEO Ken Lewis be fired, and that the bank stop consumer abuses.
