We, the dedicated workers of Planned Parenthood California Central Coast (PPCCC), are bound by our shared belief in our mission and our unwavering commitment to reproductive justice. We are deeply committed to providing quality care to our patients and a strong support system for each other. But our work has become more challenging than ever.

Some of the challenges we face are the result of forces beyond the control of our employer, including the Dobbs decision. Yet many of the challenges we face are the direct result of our employer’s unilateral actions and decisions. We are struggling with lack of support as we face an increasing number of complex patient cases, unexpected dropped shifts, insufficient workplace safety measures, wages that have not kept up with the cost of living, and a refusal to listen to our concerns.

We believe that uniting in Service Employees International Union – United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is our pathway to winning better jobs and better patient care at PPCCC. Forming our union in SEIU-UHW is a powerful affirmation of our core values – particularly principles central to reproductive justice – and will give us the power to compel PPCCC to fully live up to these core values:

• TEND TO THE TEAM by ensuring all staff are guaranteed a living wage, job protections, strong security measures, a safe working environment, and crisis planning for when our staff or patients need us most.
• RESPECT AND HONOR EMPLOYEES by working with us to ensure a viable PTO system, equitable schedule planning, fair access to time off, and part-time employment to allow staff to further their education and continue to grow within the company.
• JUMP IN by working with staff to create solutions instead of spending budgetary funds on unnecessary consulting firms. As PPCCC staff, we already have strong solutions since we do this work every day.
• TRY AND LEARN by taking our feedback seriously and maintaining an honest relationship with us.
• CARE FOR OUR BUSINESS by fostering a work environment conducive to happy workers and happy patients – and listening to staff when we raise concerns. Happy patients are returning patients.
• RETURN TO THE MISSION by ensuring broad public access to sexual and reproductive healthcare through direct service, education, and advocacy — and by caring for us, the very people who provide that direct service, education, and advocacy.

Joining together in SEIU-UHW is our best opportunity to ensure that PPCCC lives up to these core values and principles. So on March 1, we submitted a request for voluntary recognition to make our union official. We look forward to getting our election date very soon.

SEIU-UHW is the largest healthcare union in California with over 100,000 members and a proven track record of addressing workplace problems and winning increased staffing and stronger wages. Uniting in SEIU-UHW will give us the power to shape the culture we desire at PPCCC.

California is an at-will employment state, meaning that without a union our jobs can disappear without notice.

Let’s protect our jobs, our patients, and our loved ones by joining SEIU-UHW. Together we can create a better future at PPCCC and foster a culture where we are truly “In This Together!”

In Solidarity,

Your Co-Workers on the SEIU-UHW Organizing Committee at PPCCC