|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
|
On November 20th, IE union members, and the Labor Council’s staff joined NUHW Behavioral Health Workers in a day of solidarity, at the Kaiser Hospital in Fontana, CA. This day marked the fifth consecutive week of their indefinite strike and their 30th day without a contract.
NUHW members marched around the hospital buildings chanting for equity, that Kaiser give them pensions, enough time for indirect patient care tasks, and address the staffing shortage.
The Inland Empire Labor Council (IELC) stood in solidarity with Kaiser workers during their strike, joining forces with other union members and affiliates. NUHW members expressed gratitude for the regional labor support.
At a rally, speakers urged striking workers to remain strong. Union members from other locals highlighted that many unions, their members, and families are also Kaiser Permanente clients, directly impacted by the company’s greed. The overarching message was clear: when healthcare workers suffer, it affects patients, union members and their families across all sectors—an urgent call for solidarity.
“We built these hospitals!”
Notably, Venessa Ingalls from IBEW 440, reminded the crowd that Kaiser hospitals are union built, that the fight of workers in healthcare is the fight of workers in the building and construction trades too.
Those who joined workers on the picket line include:
- Etisyai Hinton, Inland Empire Black Worker’s Center
- Thomas Ham, CWA 9588
- Jason Becker and Leonard Cross, IUOE Local 12
- Venessa Ingalls, IBEW 440
- Carmella Swanson, OPEIU 277
- Kim Corona and other members, USW 12-1853
- Peter Sierra, Teamsters 1932
- Albert Duarte, IronWorkers 416
- Kassandra Cisneros, Gaby Clatenco-Martinez, Celene Perez, Eric Guerra, Frankie Aguilar, and Ricardo Cisneros, IELC
It’s crucial now more than ever that we support NUHW as they go into their 7th week on strike, donate to their hardship fund here: NUHW | Kaiser Hardship Fund
Visit:
Be sure to visit their picket lines throughout the week. Workers are out on the line from 6AM-2PM every day of the week! Pickets are in Fontana Monday-Thursday, and Riverside on Fridays.
Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center,
9961 Sierra Ave., Fontana, CA 92335
Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center,
10800 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA 92505
