OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ --
What: ACMC workers to Protest at Board of Trustees Meeting When: August 30th, 5:00 p.m. rally Where: Eastmont Clinic 6955 Foothill Blvd., Suite 200 Oakland
On Monday, August 30th Alameda County Medical Center (ACMC) registered nurses and public health workers, members of the Service Employees International Union Locals 250, 535, and 616, will protest plans to cut staff and services during a rally outside of the ACMC Board of Trustees meeting at Eastmont Clinic in Oakland.
Today, the workers shut down Oakland’s Highland Hospital, Juvenile Hall’s medical unit, and John George Psychiatric Pavilion and Fairmont Hospital in San Leandro, in protest of the threat to patient care brought forth by the medical center administration’s plans to drastically cut ACMC staff and services. Workers walked off the job at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, August 30th and will stay off duty until midnight Tuesday, August 31st. Patients will be joining healthcare providers in the protests against staff and service cuts.
The health care providers have filed unfair labor practice complaints with the Public Employee Relations Board citing the Alameda County Medical Center’s refusal to provide information on the decision making process behind their proposed staff reductions. By law, ACMC is required to provide information on their reasoning for proposed staff reductions so that bargaining between the workers and the employer can take place. The proposed budget includes plans to lay off an additional 10% of the ACMC workforce, or eliminate over 300 jobs.
“If the proposed ACMC budget is adopted, patient care will be at risk,” said Regina Robinson, a medical clerk at Fairmont Hospital and a SEIU 616 member. “To lay off staff means that we would not be able to provide the quality care that we pride ourselves on at ACMC, we would be short-staffed, and the community would suffer.”
Though not obligated to do so under law, the workers provided the Medical Center with advance notice of their plans to conduct this job action so that ACMC could adequately address the needs and interests of patient care.
Media Contact
Kathleen Miller, 510-773-7102
SEIU 250
CONTACT: Kathleen Miller of SEIU 250, +1-510-773-7102
Web site: http://www.seiu250.org/
