April 14th, 2009
650 workers petition to unite in NUHW at non-union Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital
“We’re choosing NUHW because it’s led by healthcare workers and it was founded on the principle of democracy. The fact that nearly 100,000 healthcare workers have petitioned to join NUHW means that we’ll be able to build a strong union and have a real voice at Memorial.”
—Nancy Timberlake, telemetry technician at Memorial for 24 years
April 14th, 2009
North Bay Business Journal: Memorial hospital staff file petition to join union after four-year effort
SANTA ROSA—More than 650 Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital staff filed for a petition Monday to join a union after a several-year effort, according to a release sent by the labor organization today.
“Right now, frontline caregivers don’t have a real say in the decisions that affect us and our patients,” said Memorial vocational nurse Shirley Cervellie. “And with the recent layoffs, we’re worried about having enough staff and job security.”
April 14th, 2009
Press Democrat: New union files to represent Memorial Hospital workers
Hundreds of Health care workers at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board calling for a union vote, according to labor organizers.
Organizers say the petition was submitted Monday by the National Union of Healthcare Workers, or NUHW, a new labor group headed by former leaders of Oakland-based United Healthcare Workers West.
April 14th, 2009
Homecare workers in NUHW pack Fresno Supervisors meeting
Caregivers ask Supervisors to keep their commitment to services for Fresno’s most vulnerable
Fresno, Calif.—More than 100 homecare workers, who care for Fresno County’s elderly and people with disabilities, packed Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting at the County Hall of Records. United in the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), they came to ask the Supervisors to maintain the County’s contribution to In-Home Supportive Services and sustain the vital service that has been jeopardized by reckless cuts at the state level.
“I think our greatest responsibility should be to care for those who are most in need. That’s why I’m a homecare provider,” said Eric Hammond, a homecare worker in Fresno. “We’re counting on the Supervisors to stand up for seniors and people with disabilities, and not hurt our community by making these cuts even deeper.”
April 14th, 2009
After four-year effort, Santa Rosa Memorial caregivers petition to form a union with NUHW
Santa Rosa, Calif.—More than 650 nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, radiology technologists, and others at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital could join the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) as soon as next month. Caregivers filed a petition on Monday with the National Labor Relations Board after a four-year effort to get the St. Joseph Health System to agree to fair ground rules for a union election.
“Right now, frontline caregivers don’t have a real say in the decisions that affect us and our patients,” said Shirley Cervelli, a licensed vocational nurse at Memorial for 22 years. “And with the recent layoffs, we’re worried about having enough staff and job security. We want to join together and have a stronger voice to make Memorial better for patients and a better place to work.”