February 10th, 2009
New member-led healthcare union leads fight against governor’s cuts
As Congress moves funds to save vital services, National Union of Healthcare Workers protests Schwarzenegger’s needless cuts that put the most vulnerable at risk
SACRAMENTO—Dozens of homecare workers, Kaiser workers and other caregivers protested at the governor’s offices in Fresno and Sacramento today to protect services for seniors and people with disabilities. They’re part of the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), an independent union formed less than two weeks ago by the elected leaders of United Healthcare Workers-West (UHW) after they were undemocratically ousted by SEIU.
February 7th, 2009
San Francisco Bay Guardian: SEIU preaches unity while trying to divide and conquer CNA
Service Employees International Union is caught in the position of decrying efforts by breakaway leaders of the new National Union of Healthcare Workers to steal away SEIU members during a critical moment for the labor movement, while at the same time SEIU is meddling in the internal affairs of another union, California Nurses Association.
February 5th, 2009
More than 25,000 workers petition to join NUHW and oust SEIU from 101 California hospitals and nursing homes
“We want to stay united in NUHW with the leaders we elected. They helped us build our union and win the best healthcare contract standards in the country.”
—Janet Shepherd, respiratory therapist at CHW Northridge
February 5th, 2009
More than 15,000 more workers petition to join NUHW and oust SEIU from Catholic Healthcare West and other hospitals
Elections will be held for 25,000 caregivers to join democratic healthcare union
LOS ANGELES—The National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) filed petitions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week for elections to represent more than 15,000 healthcare workers in hospitals across California—including Catholic Healthcare West, the state’s largest hospital corporation. Along with petitions filed Monday, 25,000 caregivers at 101 facilities will now be able to vote to quit SEIU and join with their co-workers in NUHW.
February 4th, 2009
San Francisco Bay Guardian: Fallout from the union clash
Fallout from the power struggle between Service Employees International Union and its Oakland-based local, United Healthcare Workers, has been felt particularly strongly in the Bay Area since SEIU took over UHW and ousted its leaders Jan. 27 (see “Union showdown,” 1/28/09).