"Let it Shine" - Hundreds of SEIU-UHW Members Protest Ousted Officials' Fundraiser
The streets of San Francisco were alive with the sound of beating drums and the voices of hundreds of SEIU-UHW members (PHOTOS) Monday night. But it wasn't the latest plot by the Governor to cut home care wages or a hospital management trying to stall negotiations that brought out the union protest. No, it was an effort by disgraced, former union officials to pay their lawyers and huge potential judgments when they go to trial next year..
"I am so proud to be here tonight with all my fellow union members," said Marcelino Robles, who works at Sutter CPMC, and came out to protest the fundraiser. "We are out here to show how united we are in SEIU-UHW and how little support these former leaders really have."
Sutter Roseville Members Reach Contract Agreement, Pickets Gather Steam at Other Facilities
Throughout negotiations, Sutter Roseville workers stood strong and united on a list of priorities for our contract. On Thursday, November 12, our SEIU-UHW Bargaining Team completed tough negotiations with management that delivered on those goals. Workers will see across-the-board wage increases of more than 16 percent over the three years, with no cuts to healthcare. Nicole Otewalt, an OR Tech, said, "Because we demonstrated to management that we are committed to standing strong and united to protect our wages, job security and health care we now have a great contract that provides all of this and more. If we can do it here you can do it at your hospital too!"
Meanwhile, members at Sutter Solano Medical Center turned out in force for an informational picket to remind Sutter management of the shared responsibility between the hospital, its workers, and the community they all serve, particularly during difficult economic times. "As a long-standing partner in Vallejo, Sutter Solano should be ready to do its part in our community," said Tom McGinnes, a lead certified phlebotomy tech and 12-year employee at the medical center. "Sutter Solano has the resources and the responsibility to protect good jobs and strengthen its partnership with our community during these difficult times." Pickets will continue Wednesday at Sutter Alta Bates (Summit Campus).
Workers to Picket Alta Bates »
"We Need Your Support": Petition Urges O'Connor Woods Management to Bargain in Good Faith; Vigil Tonight
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. Members at the facility faced a well funded campaign by management to fight the union, while workers earned less and have fewer benefits than comparable facilities in the area. Join workers at O'Connor Woods and sign this petition in solidarity.
On Tuesday night, members of the community will join with workers from O'Connor Woods at a candlelight vigil at the Catholic Diocese of Stockton (1106 North El Dorado) to protest management's misuse of resources.
Kaiser Stewards Prepare for 2010; Bargaining Team Makes Progress
When the Kaiser West Los Angeles Stewards Council met recently, winning improvements in the 2010 contract campaign was at the top of their agenda. These stewards, who represent SEIU-UHW members from numerous facilities across West Los Angeles, held the first bargaining training session to prepare for negotiations early next year. Other Steward Councils across the state are participating in similar events to keep bargaining well coordinated. The Stewards Council strategized on how to build strong worker networks and how to recruit more leaders, and began mapping out a plan to win in 2010.
In other news, a November 2 meeting between representatives from Kaiser Permanente Management and an elected committee of SEIU-UHW members in Los Angeles has led to more progress toward finding real solutions to avoid the forced layoff of our members. Of the 297 impacted employees in the South, 219 have already been placed in like-for-like job matches. Management and the committee began to work out details of a workforce training program for any members who have not been placed in like-for-like job positions. Close to $2 million in JSET funds are available now to train workers so they can move into new jobs.
SEIU-UHW Members at Centinela Stand United - And Win!
For three years, SEIU-UHW members at Centinela Hospital have battled for the retro pay guaranteed in our contract. We stood up to management's tactics and refused to be tricked into trading away our rights and protections in exchange for money we were already owed. When management tried to stall and keep us from our raises, we pushed back and delivered our notice to picket to let the hospital and our community know how Prime's Centinela was short-changing caregivers. Finally, with a looming picket in sight, Centinela management informed us that they were ready to give us our retro pay and raises--and we now have them. Our unity got results.