November 2021 PULSE
In November, NUHW members held a one-day solidarity strike with Kaiser Permanente engineers; picketed West Anaheim Medical Center, won a contract fight at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, conducted a survey on racial justice and equity at Kaiser, and won back pay that Wellpath incorrectly withheld from them. Also, learn about NUHW member Ana Ortiz and find out about the award NUHW won for its 2020 “Fight of Our Lives” video.
Check out the stories below, and be sure to check out our new training and education website, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too.
Note: Photographs of people without masks were taken outdoors and/or before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kaiser clinicians hold solidarity strike, march on Kaiser’s Oakland headquarters
In a forceful demonstration of solidarity with striking Kaiser Permanente engineers and outrage over Kaiser’s chronic underfunding of behavioral health care, NUHW social workers, therapists, and psychologists held a one-day strike at Kaiser hospitals across Northern California. Read more.
Salinas Valley Memorial workers ratify contract with strong raises and better educational benefits
Members pushed back when the employer first proposed miniscule raises and dramatic increases to their health care costs. Read more.
Steward Spotlight: Ana Ortiz, Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital
A passion for Aztec dance helped Hazel Hawkins Memorial steward Ana Ortiz overcome cancer. Read more.
Kaiser workers release Racial Justice and Equity Survey
A survey of more than 1,500 NUHW Kaiser workers revealed that 62 percent of non-white respondents reported experiencing racism on the job and that 37 percent of all respondents reported witnessing racism toward their patients. Read more.
NUHW members picket West Anaheim Medical Center over staffing crisis
West Anaheim Medical Center is refusing to address chronic understaffing that has forced it to repeatedly shut down its lab that treats patients suffering heart attacks. Read more.
Santa Rita Jail workers refunded after employer’s benefit error
After filing a grievance, NUHW members at Santa Rita Jail got back the money they had been paying toward a disability benefit program that their employer failed to realize was not available to California residents. Read more.
On Día de Muertos, remembering those lost to COVID-19
NUHW joined Healthy California Now, the California Alliance of Retired Americans, and Health Equity Advocates Los Angeles in dedicating an Ofrenda/Altar to the more than 27,000 Los Angeles County residents who have died from COVID-19. Read more.
NUHW wins Telly awards for “Fight of Our Lives” video
NUHW’s short video documents our members’ struggle to protect themselves and their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.
NUHW offering online continuing education courses
Need CE units? Check out our online courses for members in licensed and certified job classifications. Learn more.
News of the Month
Read our roundup of the latest labor and healthcare news from top media outlets.