ANTIOCH, Calif., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued by the Health Care Workers Union, SEIU 250.
Today, 180 health care workers, including licensed vocational nurses, certified nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, ward clerks, dietary and environmental services staff employed by Sutter Delta Hospital in Antioch will hold a candlelight vigil in protest of Sutter’s decision to lock workers out of the hospital.
Yesterday, Sutter Health locked out 7,000 caregivers from their patients at 13 facilities and said the lockout would continue for 4 days. The lockout is intended to punish caregivers for standing up for higher patient care standards at Sutter Health, the most profitable health care corporation in Northern California.
“If Sutter Health truly cared about their patients and the community, they wouldn’t be forcing caregivers out on the streets because we stood up for quality care standards,” said Denny Henriques, a respiratory therapist at Sutter Delta Hospital for the past 13 years. “How can Sutter Health claim to be an employer of choice, when they won’t even allow their employees to work?”
The lockout follows a hugely successful one day strike on Wednesday, December 1st, during which 7,000 registered nurses and caregivers struck together in a powerful show of unity. There was close to 99% participation in the strike.
Every major hospital system in Northern California except Sutter has accepted standards designed to protect patient care, including a voice in staffing for caregivers and a training fund. Sutter has been bargaining in bad faith by refusing to negotiate these standards, and that is why workers struck.
“This lockout is yet another sign that Sutter will always put its ruthless pursuit of power and profits before the needs of patients,” said Sal Rosselli, SEIU 250 president. “This corporation made $465 million in profits last year and its CEO got a 62% raise to $2,339,546. All the while, the state and federal government as well as a private accreditation agency are finding an epidemic of patient care violations in Sutter hospitals. Everyone can now see what’s wrong with Sutter.”
With 100,000 members, SEIU 250 is the largest and fastest growing health care union in the Western U.S. We represent every type of health care worker, including nursing, professional, technical, paramedic and service classifications. Our mission is to achieve high quality health care for all.
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/