3/6: Join LABOR COUNCIL SUPPORT PICKET @ Castro Valley EDEN MEDICAL CENTER

Dear Karen Mahtin,
Alameda County is union territory -- SUPPORT STRIKERS at EDEN MEDICAL CENTER

Workers at Sutter hospitals across Northern California have settled contracts with fair wages, improvements in patient care, and a voice for caregivers. At Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley, Sutter-controlled management will agree to key issues but wants punitive concessions that put the Castro Valley facility behind the rest of Northern California.

Workers started a seven-day strike on February 28 and plan to return to work on March 7.

Community support has been strong, with many elected leaders involved in picketing and contacting the hospital's elected board members. Union City Councilmember Richard Valle, Hayward councilmember Kevin Dowling, Assembly candidate Mary Hayashi, and representatives from the offices of Alberto Torrico, Alice Lai-Bitker, and Nate Miley joining the line. Democratic Central Committee leaders are calling the elected Board members; UFCW 870, Teamsters 78 and Firefighters 1909 have supported the line.

But management hired the notorious firm of Modern Industrial Services, America's Leader in Strike Re-Staffing. Jack-booted thugs are patrolling Castro Valley streets and trying vainly to intimidate housekeepers, dietary workers, nursing aides and other employees. On March 2, a picketer was pepper-sprayed by a scab leaving the parking lot.

Let's show Sutter that Alameda County is union territory before MIS gets more clients!

PUT PATIENTS FIRST RALLY, 8am-9am Monday, March 6 Eden Medical Center 20103 Lake Chabot Blvd, just off Castro Valley Blvd Castro Valley

ALSO CALL EDEN CEO GEORGE BISCHELANEY and the publicly elected members of the Eden Township Healthcare District Board and tell them to return to the bargaining table prepared to settle the contract without delay to avoid this unnecessary strike. Their names and numbers follow:

George Bischalaney - CEO - (510) 537-1234 or (510) 727-2703

Suzanne Barba - Elected Board Member - (510) 538-9678

Alexandra Matteucci - Elected Board Member - (510) 889-7451

Rajendra Ratnesar, MD - Elected Board Member - (510) 581-5787 or (510) 287-4591

Francisco Rico, MD - Elected Board Member - (510) 537-1234 or (510) 581-5772

Harry Dvorsky, MD - Elected Board member - (510) 483-0801

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510 632 4242 for more information cwa39521/afl-cio