Union Workers Plan One-Day Strike of Bay Area CHW Hospitals
Service Employees International Union Local 250 workers at three Bay area Catholic Healthcare West hospitals have approved a one-day strike to protest "inadequate" staffing standards, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Yesterday's announcement of the scheduled Dec. 14 walkout at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, St. Mary's Medical Center and Seton Medical Center is part of the union's attempt to gain a "bigger role in how hospitals staff each shift," the Chronicle reports. Local 250 President Sal Roselli said, "We are not asking CHW to pioneer new territory, but only to live up to the standards already agreed to by Kaiser Permanente, county hospitals and other facilities." However, CHW spokesperson Robert Polzoni said that his company is offering the union "a greater voice in staffing issues that is equal to or better than any other contract they have negotiated with other hospitals" (San Francisco Chronicle, 11/30).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.