June 20th, 2009
Fresno Bee: Homecare union election challenged
Workers in Fresno Co. will have to wait 10 more days for final results.
by Barbara Anderson
Fresno County’s 10,000 homecare workers have voted in a bitterly fought election to remain with their established union, according to a tally of votes Friday evening.
But the election results are being challenged.
A count of the votes Friday showed the Service Employees International Union United Healthcare Workers-West won by a 233-vote margin over the National Union of Healthcare Workers, said Steve Sanchez, interim program manager for the Fresno County Public Authority. The authority is the employer of record for the workers, who care for elderly and disabled people — many of whom are family members.
June 19th, 2009
Fresno Business Journal: Union vote count underway
Votes are being counted in one of the most closely watched union elections in local history.
Over 10,000 health care workers in Fresno County recently voted on whether to remain members of the Service Employees International Union and United Healthcare Workers organization or to switch to the fledgling National Union of Healthcare Workers. A final count could come as early as today, but that is not likely.
June 18th, 2009
Workers’ Independent News: Outcome of NUHW and SEIU battle could shape labor future
Source: Workers’ Independent News
June 18th, 2009
Charlotte Observer: Unions fight over ties to BofA
A labor union said late Wednesday it had filed charges alleging prohibited ties between another union and Bank of America Corp.
The charges, filed on behalf of the National Union of Healthcare Workers, allege that Charlotte-based Bank of America offered the Service Employees International Union at least $88 million in prohibited loans. Federal law bars loans, gifts and other financial ties between employers and unions attempting to organize that company’s employees, the NUHW said.
The law is designed to keep unions from being influenced by employers and to keep unions from shaking down companies where they are trying to organize workers, the NUHW said. The SEIU has led a series of protests against Bank of America, while seeking to organize the bank’s workers, the NUHW said.
June 18th, 2009
truthout: California’s homecare union struggles continue
Across the US, the housing market crash is reducing tax revenues for local and state governments. As their budget deficits swell, lawmakers cut spending on public health, parks and schools. In California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger seeks to close a $24 billion deficit in 2009-201? in part by reducing expenditures for In-Home Supportive Services.
IHSS employees represented by the Service Employees International Union provide homecare for elderly and infirm people. Homecare costs less than residing in a nursing home and allows individuals to be more independent.
Just ask Paul Kumar, an elected interim executive board member of the new National Union of Healthcare Workers. He along with others in the NUHW analyzed President Obama’s stimulus bill and found a way to offset proposed state and local government cuts to IHSS.