JULY 2020 PULSE
In July, NUHW members held the nation’s largest hospital strike since the pandemic’s onset, advocated for mental health care reforms, picketed against lax infection controls, and welcomed new members at Sonoma County Jail. NUHW also joined hundreds of organizations in demanding that Facebook take action against hate speech on its platform. Check out the stories below, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too. *Please note that any group photo without masks was taken prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Santa Rosa Memorial workers hold five-day strike
Despite generating huge profits, executives at the 338-bed regional trauma center are demanding sharp cuts to accrued sick leave and healthcare benefits. Read more.
Member perspective: Santa Rosa Memorial Radiologic Technologist Tammie Campbell
Tammie’s article for Labor Notes offers perspective for workers and organizers across the country, who may also have to strike during the pandemic.Read the article.
Kindred Westminster workers picket for stronger infection controls
NUHW members want to avoid what happened at a nearby Kindred hospital in Brea, where a COVID-19 outbreak infected dozens of patients and workers, including a nurse who died from the virus.Read more.
Kaiser clinicians continue advocating for mental health care reform bill
Senate Bill 855 would require insurers to cover all forms of mental health and substance use treatment that a patient’s doctor deems “medically necessary.” Read more.
Healthcare workers at Sonoma County Jail join NUHW
The Wellpath employees started organizing to protect their jobs and improve their health benefits, but are now also fighting for sufficient PPE and testing during the pandemic. Read more.
Members at Fountain Valley advocate for COVID-19 protections
After holding a press conference to blast the hospital’s lax infection controls, several members at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital spoke at a virtual roundtable with Rep. Katie Porter’s healthcare policy staff. Read more.
NUHW joins Facebook advertising boycott
Campaign supporters have pledged to withhold advertising on all Facebook platforms until the company takes action to address disinformation and racism on its platforms. Read more.
News of the Month
Read our roundup of the latest labor and healthcare news from top media outlets.
NUHW offering online continuing education courses
Need CE units? Check out our online courses for members in licensed and certified job classifications. Learn more.