SANTA ROSA, Calif., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at 12-noon, Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital workers, including licensed vocational nurses, certified nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, operating room technicians, pharmacy technicians, radiology technicians, clerks, housekeeping and dietary staff delivered a letter to management at St. Joseph’s Health System of Sonoma County, the corporation that owns and runs Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, asking that they abide by Fair Election Principles as many of their workers prepare to vote for union representation. These principles require that an election should occur quickly, fairly, and without legal delays from St. Joseph’s management; that hospital supervisors should not engage in one-on-one meetings with workers about the union; that mandatory group meetings about the union should not be held with employees during work time; and that vital patient care dollars should not be used for consultants, the distribution of disparaging materials about the union, or other activities against their organizing efforts.
“I’m proud of the work I do at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. By organizing a union, we can ensure security in retirement, wages, safety, and equal opportunity for all employees through our collective voice,” said Dana Hassler, a Licensed Vocational Nurse in Oncology at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
Community leaders and elected officials from Sonoma County also delivered a letter to St. Joseph’s management affirming the right of employees to form their own unions, without fear of intimidation or retaliation from management. In a letter signed by Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey and other elected officials and community leaders, “St. Joseph Health System and SEIU should seek to establish a relationship of mutual respect for their respective missions, modeled on the successful relationships established between SEIU and CHW, Kaiser, and other health systems. They should also find common ground with respect to shared values around quality, accessible health care for all. As community leaders, we are willing and eager to help bring the parties together, facilitate a fair election process, and mediate any agreements that may arise.”
SEIU Local 250, with more than 100,000 members, is the largest and fastest growing healthcare union in California. We represent every type of healthcare worker, including nursing, professional, technical, paramedic and service classifications. Our mission is to achieve high quality healthcare for all.
Media Contact
Kathleen Miller 510-773-7102
SEIU Local 250
CONTACT: Kathleen Miller of SEIU Local 250, +1-510-773-7102
Web site: http://www.seiu250.org/
