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Nearing almost 6 months on strike, the National Union of Healthcare Workers is holding a series of escalated actions across Southern California. Their first action took place in San Diego, outside of Kaiser Permanente’s administrative building for the area.
Many traveled from Orange County and the Inland Empire to join this action, showing Kaiser that NUHW stands together. The IELC was among these travelers, seeking to document the action and hear from workers directly.
Showing their collective power
Workers marched and made sure that Kaiser Permanente officials heard that they stand by their core strike issues which are, in the words of NUHW, “Restoring pensions, fair raises that make up for years without cost-of-living raises, and sufficient Patient Management Time.”
Around noon, a crowd gathered to hear remarks from a series of speakers. Among them were:
- Reverend Grace Caluya, NUHW
- Elizabeth Meza, NUHW
- Paloma Aguirre, Mayor of Imperial Beach
- Sal Roselli, President Emeritus of NUHW
- Marianne Giordano, Executive Director of OPEIU
- Carol Kim, Business Manager of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Building Trades Council
- Brigette Browning, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council
Maintaining their advocacy for patients, workers readied themselves for a 3 minute “die-in.” Kaiser workers and allies laid in silence on the steps of the administration building, to honor the 300 patients who have submitted their stories of Kaiser’s neglect. Submit your story here.
Patients of Kaiser Behavioral Healthcare employees often face suicidal thoughts and need critical treatment, but don’t get the care they need due to Kaiser’s mismanagement. NUHW members see this issue first-hand, urgently wanting to fix it.
Patient advocacy has been a key aspect of the NUHW contract campaign, with their chant of “What’s this about? Patient care!” being a mainstay on the picket line.
After the die-in, workers continued to march and speak with one another. We spoke to several workers who wouldn’t have become friends had they not been on the picket line. Before going on strike workers were constantly rushed by Kaiser, feeling isolated. How can you talk with your coworkers if you don’t even have time to respond to an email, or go to the bathroom?
Urging executives for fair treatment
A representative from Kaiser Permanente, Victor Voisard, came to speak with workers on behalf of the area Hospital Director Michael Lalich who chose not to appear. Voisard repeatedly stated that he would relay messages from NUHW to him.
Workers asked Voisard questions regarding pensions and shared their deeply personal, and painful, stories about working under Kaiser’s conditions. Voisard confirmed that he had a pension but declined to comment if all Kaiser workers deserve one.
The San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council penned a letter intended for Director Michael Lalich, urging him to settle with these workers and meet their demands. An NUHW member handed this letter to Victor Voisard who indicated that he would give it to Dr. Lalich. Voisard shortly left amid questions from NUHW members, which would be the last they heard from a representative of Kaiser for the day.
The day’s events received news coverage from various local news stations, increasing the visibility that NUHW members deserve. It is imperative that the labor movement at large supports those on strike. When we help one of us, we help all of us! To donate to these brave workers, click here.
