Our SEIU-UHW contract guarantees money every year from CHW for member education. But for the past several years, members haven't been in control of the money. Very few of us at CHW have taken advantage of this important benefit--or even know about it.
In part, that's because John Borsos and other former leaders of UHW who were removed from office are still in charge of our education money. We don't control it, and most of us can't use it.
It's time for us to take control
Our member-elected bargaining team is recommending a new education fund--one controlled jointly by SEIU-UHW members from CHW and CHW management. By putting our future education money in this new fund, we can help more members move up the career ladder and gain new skills. Any members who are currently participating in the education fund will still be protected.
The final decision is in our hands. Now the 14,000 SEIU-UHW members who work at CHW facilities statewide will vote in a democratic election on whether we want to set up a new fund.
"Members should control the education money we've fought so hard for. As long as the former leadership controls our voice in how it's spent, we'll never make any improvements. That's why we need to set up a new fund--one we can actually use."
--Irene Gourdine, Lead EVS, SEIU-UHW bargaining committee member at CHW Methodist Hospital-Sacramento (pictured here with Mark Nielsen, CSPD Inventory Control Tech and members of the SEIU-UHW bargaining committee member)
"I know we have co-workers who want to move forward in healthcare, but the education fund doesn't offer what they want. So I'm voting to create a new fund that members at CHW control." --Marsha Richardson, PCT, SEIU-UHW bargaining committee member at CHW California Medical Center
"The money in our education fund needs to be there for us to use, not to help fund a political struggle by the former union leaders. It's time to take back control of our education money." --Eric Thomas, Surgery Tech, SEIU-UHW bargaining committee alternate at CHW St. Johns Regional Medical Center-Oxnard
Let's Vote YES to Take Control of Our Education Fund.
For vote date and times, or more information, contact a member of the bargaining team or SEIU-UHW steward.