The Kaiser workers who voted are unlike others in SEIU-UHW. They have a very short history of being part of UHW. They came into UHW from SEIU Local 535 as part of a union-wide reorganization in California a few years ago. And even though the reorganization was approved by a vote of members statewide, these workers were unhappy about the change from the beginning because it dissolved their former local. They were not in SEIU-UHW long enough to have a positive bargaining experience, and many don't consider themselves part of our larger Kaiser group.

NUHW has put these workers at grave risk for their own purposes. These workers had their raises and benefits locked in for almost two years. Now, they will have to re-bargain their contract on their own in this economic crisis--at the same time Kaiser is cutting healthcare and other costs among management and non-union workers.

"I'm not going to get caught up playing politics, this is about winning the best contract possible and securing our future," said Paul Barkley from Kaiser Sunset. "The only way to do that is for all of us to stay united as SEIU-UHW."

50,000 SEIU-UHW members--united for our contract and our future

Across the state, members in Kaiser are signing a unity letter to show how united and committed we are in SEIU-UHW to win a great new contract in 2010 negotiations. Nearly 50,000 of us are standing strong behind goals that include:

• Raises for all members
• Locking in all our current benefits and our voice at work
• Securing our jobs well into the future

We'll go into bargaining together with the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions---100,000 members strong--in April.

Sign onto the SEIU-UHW unity letter today! See your local Steward for more information.