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Labor Council urges SEIU not to obstruct six-year union effort at Santa Rosa Memorial

Santa Rosa, Calif.—The North Bay Labor Council sent a letter today to the trustees of SEIU-UHW, asking them not to delay or obstruct efforts by workers at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital to form a union with the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW). The Council represents more than 60 unions across Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino, and Lake counties.

“It is clear that Memorial workers have chosen NUHW as their union,” wrote Council President Jack Buckhorn and Executive Director Lisa Maldonado.

“We respectfully ask that SEIU-UHW respect these workers’ choice and withdraw from the election at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital so that these workers can finally have the successful election they have worked so hard and risked so much for.”

Sequoias caregivers join NUHW

Workers reject cynical effort by SEIU officials to deny them the right to join a union Jose Bolanos, cook“We organized our union so we could stand up for ourselves, and make sure our residents get the best possible care and that we are treated with the dignity and respect we deserve. Now we have a […]

Caregivers at The Sequoias join National Union of Healthcare Workers

Workers reject cynical effort by SEIU officials to deny them the right to join a union

Portola Valley, Calif.—Seventy caregivers at The Sequoias Assisted Living Facility have won their election to form a union with the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), despite an aggressive effort by another union to stop them.

“We organized our union so we could stand up for ourselves, and make sure our residents get the best possible care and that we are treated with the dignity and respect we deserve,” said Jose Bolanos, a cook at the facility. “Now we have a voice to do that. We’re thrilled to be part of a democratic union that is run by healthcare workers like us.”

The scandal-plagued SEIU, widely condemned for its attacks on other unions, had tried to block this election for several months with frivolous charges. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rejected SEIU’s charges and scheduled an election. SEIU failed to win enough support to get a spot on the ballot. The final vote was 40 for NUHW and 20 for “No Union.”

Long Beach Press-Telegram: Los Alamitos Medical Center workers to unionize

By John Canalis, Staff Writer

LOS ALAMITOS—Maintenance workers at Los Alamitos Medical Center have agreed to organize, union representatives said Tuesday.

Workers voted 35-7 in favor of joining the National Union of Healthcare Workers. The workers are employees of a medical center subcontractor, Hospital Housekeeping Systems.

“I’m overjoyed that we finally have a voice to protect our jobs and our families,” said Matilde Garcia, a member of the organizing committee, in a statement. The workers are seeking medical benefits from their employer.

North Bay Business Journal: County OKs contentious contract with SEIU in-home health care workers

By D. Ashley Furness, Business Journal Staff Reporter

SANTA ROSA—The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors renewed a contract impacting thousands of Service Employees International Union in-home care workers this morning, despite claims that organizers inappropriately barred some members from voting for representation.

A group of in-home support services workers staged a protest on administration steps this afternoon opposing the three-year memorandum, which goes into effect Thursday. Several supervisors expressed concerns with the union during a public meeting this morning, but the board unanimously approved the agreement.

According to protesters during the 1:30 p.m. gathering, the union for the first time this year did not allow members to send ballots through the mail and did not provide a copy of the contract. Voting was limited to polling locations at difficult times and places and it was also charged a security guard was hired to “block” workers known to oppose the union, according to protesters.