October 1st, 2009
Labor Council urges SEIU not to obstruct NUHW election at Santa Rosa Memorial
Mito Gonzales“The support of Sonoma County elected, religious and labor leaders has been so important to our campaign to win our union. We’re glad the North Bay Labor Council is standing in support of the majority of Memorial workers and respecting the choice we made. If SEIU-UHW really wants to support the workers here, they should stop standing in our way.” —Mito Gonzales, clinical lab assistant at Santa Rosa Memorial
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).
“It is clear that Memorial workers have chosen NUHW as their union … 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.”
The Council represents more than 60 unions across four counties in Northern California.
October 1st, 2009
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.”
September 30th, 2009
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 […]
September 29th, 2009
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.”
September 29th, 2009
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.