Kaiser Optical workers strike in Sacramento
Twelve Kaiser Optical members at Kaiser’s Point West facility in Sacramento staged a one-day strike from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 31, to protest abusive management and poor patient care. They were joined by a dozen or so supporters, including Optical members from other Kaiser facilities, a Point West EVS worker, and family and friends.
The strike took place during a “trunk show,” a one-day event for selling new designer eyeglass frames. Optical workers picketed and handed out leaflets along a sidewalk between the building and the parking lot. The picket came with a bit of excitement courtesy of Kaiser management, who approached a few NUHW members and staffers while they were setting up and threatened to call the police if the strikers did not move to the far side of the parking lot.
The workers refused and the Sacramento Police soon arrived — and informed Kaiser management that the workers did indeed have a right to picket outside the building.
Kaiser tried again, this time calling the El Dorado Sherrif’s Department. A deputy soon arrived — and informed Kaiser management that the workers did indeed have a right to picket outside the building. He also ensured the workers’ right to use Kaiser’s restrooms, over the objections of Kaiser management.