Fresh off their vote to stay in SEIU-UHW, and faced with a management that refuses to move forward in bargaining, O'Connor Woods workers are reaching out to the community in Stockton and beyond for support. They are circulating a letter and petition that will be delivered to the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, who oversee the retirement community.
The letter reads, in part:
It has come to our attention that O'Connor Woods employees are earning less and have fewer benefits than others who work at comparable facilities in our area. We believe that the employees at O'Connor Woods should be given every opportunity to provide quality care to residents, including some who are our friends and family members. This means ensuring employees are able to earn a living wage, have medical insurance and retire in dignity.
It is unacceptable to us that the management at O'Connor Woods are spending thousands of dollars to fight the union, rather than investing that same money in quality care. [W]e respectfully ask you to urge the management of O'Connor Woods to settle a fair union contract with their employees as soon as possible.
Once complete, the SEIU-UHW members at O'Connor Woods will deliver the petitions to the Dominican Sisters.
