Caregivers at St. Francis in Lynwood Set to Vote Next Week for SEIU-UHW

Members of the Service Employees International Union–United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, part of the Daughters of Charity Health System, are ready to vote to keep SEIU-UHW and put an end to interference at their hospital by the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), a union formed by former union officials ousted last year.

Their election, on April 21 and 22 – a precursor to elections at other Daughters facilities including, O’Connor Hospital in San Jose and St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy – is part of a wave of elections scheduled at hospitals and nursing homes in April and May in which SEIU-UHW members are standing up and voting to keep their contracts, their strength, and their union, SEIU-UHW. (Please click here to view the full schedule).

St. Francis workers are eager to show their support for SEIU-UHW.

“For months we have been trying to get NUHW out of St. Francis and the rest of our hospitals. We want to stay with our union, SEIU-UHW and continue the work that means the most to us: taking care of patients,” said Diahann Baker, a unit secretary.

The National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) was created by former SEIU-UHW officials who were removed from office more than a year ago for misusing millions in union funds and violating members’ democratic rights. Last week a federal jury ordered the group and the ousted leaders to pay a combined $1.5 million in damages to the members of SEIU-UHW.

“We’re healthcare workers, and we don’t want anything to come between us and the patients we care for. We’re ready to vote to kick NUHW out once and for all so we can do the healthcare work we do best without distractions,” said Pam McGraw, a respiratory therapist.

Daughters of Charity members at five hospitals – O’Connor Hospital, Saint Louise Regional Hospital, St. Francis Medical Center, Seton Medical Center in Daly City, and Seton Coastside Medical Center in Moss Beach – fought for 18 months to secure a three-year contract that protects quality patient care by keeping the trained and qualified staff through guaranteed raises, healthcare benefits, and job security.

“We now have a contract that protects our patients and provides us with pay and benefits that will help retain the best caregivers. We don’t want to give that up for an outside group with no members under contract and no strength to help us stand up for quality care. It’s time for NUHW to go,” said Juan Mendoza, a housekeeping employee.

“Let’s keep our contract and not re-bargain. There are no guarantees if we change unions. I want to keep our raises. Why waste another two years trying to re-bargain?,” asked Alma Barron, who works in the post-partum unit.