SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- In its first admission that the 2-week old strike is having a significant impact on its business operations, Sutter/CMPC filed Friday for a temporary restraining order against strikers who have been leading round-the-clock picket lines at three California Pacific Medical Center campuses. The judge denied the TRO based on a lack of evidence and the strikers' first amendment right to picket.
Sutter/CPMC presented sworn testimony stating that drivers are refusing to cross picket lines and replacement workers are having a difficult time completing their work on time. Sutter/CPMC's witnesses complained about noise levels from chanting and horn honking by passing traffic. As part of its arguments, Sutter/CPMC presented the findings of a study conducted by a "noise expert" it paid to study picket noise at the three campuses. This evidence, however, was found to be insignificant and comparatively less than an ambulance siren. The judge denied the injunction stating that police were responding to complaints about noise and strikers are exercising their first amendment rights.
"Sutter claims it's business as usual during our strike, but their own court testimony proves that their business is being impacted," said Della Reed, a licensed vocational nurse at the California Campus. "Hiring and paying for a noise expert to monitor our picketing is pure desperation and a shameful waste of money."
Hospital workers at the three campuses declared a strike on September 13 after a Federal Mediator offered a compromise settlement proposal that CPMC accepted, then rejected. The caregivers struck when CPMC reneged on its offer to accept the settlement, which featured guidelines for safe staffing and a caregiver training and education fund.
SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West, with more than 140,000 members, is the largest healthcare union in the Western United States. We represent every type of healthcare worker, including nursing, professional, technical and service classifications. Our mission is to achieve quality healthcare for all.
Contact: Thea Lavin, cell, +1-510-520-7732, or Kay Carney, cell, +1-510-520-7229, both of SEIU.
SEIU United Healthcare Workers-WestCONTACT: Thea Lavin, cell, +1-510-520-7732, or Kay Carney, cell,+1-510-520-7229, both of SEIU
