Unable to fight fairly, Zombies hit below the belt

I don't know about you but I'm already tired of Mark Key Henry and what's going on at SEIU on the international level. To me, the new prez is just as divisive, manipulating and power hungry as her predecessor. She may be able to make amends with the unions and others Stern drove off, but like Stern she won't even consider working out SEIU's differences with NUHW. Apparently, it's ok to pick a fight but not ok to call a truce.

* * *

Anyway, on the the meat of this entry.

It appears the Summer Games, errr I mean WWIII has begun. Randy Shaw scoops the story below. Having been burned by the Zombies I look forward to a summer of stunning defeats for the Zombies. I fully expect they will "win" some elections if only by brute force, 100% annual turnover at various nursing homes with pending elections and because of these conditions NUHW has to good sense to pullout before the election.

P.S. Check out the memo referenced in the article: they have to stop writing this stuff down!

Important criteria for homecare worker background checks

Finally, some information about the criteria for these damn unwarranted background checks for IHSS (homecare) providers. Note: this info not brought to you by SEIU. They're too busy scrambling for a new president.

Sal sums up what we all have felt in our blood for years...

Sal's message is to the point and totally irrefutable. Too bad SEIU has made an enemy of Sal and union democracy. If he we're still employed by SEIU he'd be my bet for the one person who could turn SEIU around.

Stern to resign!

...but where will he go? Why is he leaving? And who will replace him? Isn't he going to stick around for the Great Member Exodus of 2010? Don't punk out on us now, this is just getting interesting! Perhaps he's going to work for Perez Obama as more than just a member of the debt commission. Very exciting possibility here, stay tuned to Tasty, Perez and yours truly to keep abreast of this unfolding drama!

Could it be he just can't stand losing money, members and labor allies left and right?
__________________

From: "Diane Sosne"
Date: April 12, 2010 11:35:45 AM PDT
To: "Everyone @ SEIU"
Subject: Andy Stern Resigning as President of SEIU

Last night I received confirmation that Andy Stern is resigning as President of SEIU. He has not yet made a public announcement; we will share the details as we become aware of them.
__________________

Here are the news articles corroborating his departure. I will add to this list as it grows.

• The Politico: SEIU official: Stern to resign
• The Examiner: SEIU head Andrew Stern to resign
• Chicago Now: Breaking News: SEIU's Stern Resigning
• The Huffington Post:  Andy Stern Leaving SEIU, Sources Confirm
• Hot Air: Hmmmm: SEIU chief Andy Stern resigns
• The Atlantic: Andy Stern To Resign As SEIU President
• The New York Times: Head of S.E.I.U. Plans to Step Down
• Wall Street Journal: Powerful Labor Chief Stepping Down 
• The Washington Post: Andrew Stern set to resign as head of major union, SEIU official says
• The Washington Post: Officials say SEIU president is stepping down from post
• Firedoglake SEIU's Andy Stern Stepping Down
• The Atlantic Wire: Behind SEIU Chief Andy Stern's Resignation
• ScrappleFace: Retiring SEIU Boss Stern Wants More Time with The Family
• The Wall Street Journal: Labor's Stern Said to Be Resigning
• NPR: Union Official: Stern To Leave Service Employees
• Firedoglake: SEIU’s Andy Stern to Step Down

So there you have it folks: for whatever reason labor's sore thumb has finally looked back at his legacy of union busting/raiding, member dues money wasting, EFCA-killing, sellout contract promoting ways and has decided to move on to spend more time with his family. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek, what a lame excuse for running from the house of labor he set on fire! Good riddance, loser.

Press coverage for the NUHW/Zombie SEIU trial

Most labor disputes go unreported or woefully under-reported by the LameStream media. In an effort to bring the coverage to the forefront of my readers minds here's a round up of what was covered by mostly local media. Oddly enough the New York Times had a little, very little to say about this monumental Zombie SEIU screw up.


I have decided not to list any press releases written by Zombie UHW media relations flunkie Steve Trossman since they are horribly biased propaganda pieces and I assume none of my readers care in the least what he has to say.

Obviously a lot of the coverage will be duplicative but I feel it's still worth reading to get a consensus view of the trial and it's implications.

First off are Randy Shaw's and Carl Finamore's articles on BeyondChron, followed by Randy's summary of the struggle for union democracy since January 2009.

Local coverage continues with San Francisco Business Times coverage by Chris Rauber, IndyBay, Christopher Cook at San Francisco Bay Guardian.

National coverage includes the kind of super secret teleconference attendee David Moberg of In These Times, Mike Parker at Labor Notes, Steve Early at Monthly Review and finally Stephen Greenhouse of the New York Times wrote a whole paragraph about the trial verdict.

As a blogger I would be remiss if I didn't mention the excellent coverage of fellow bloggers Perez Stern and Tasty Burger (here, here and here).

Much to my surprise the pseudo-bloggers from the trial have nothing to say, despite being ecstatic about the verdict during Friday's teleconference. Lame!

5 more debates scheduled for Sonoma County candidates

Courtesy of the League of Women Voters of Sonoma County.

Meet the vanguards of union democracy

For the most part I avoid directly referencing any NUHW material in an attempt to maintain my creative autonomy. So, except when I hear privileged information I don't seek their approval, and they don't tell me what to write. Someday I would love to work for NUHW; in the mean time I write from my perspective and its 2 vantage points: as a homecare worker and supporter deeply involved in the struggle for homecare funding, representation and advancement; and as an outsider looking in on my healthcare peers in hospitals (especially Memorial) and long term care facilities. But every once in a while, the is no credible (or no other) source outside of NUHW for the topic I want to write about, and today's entry is a prime example. Today, I present to you the 28 reformers currently enduring an SEIU-dues-paying-member-funded assault on their actions while employees of UHW.

Perez is back...again!

All hail Perez! As SierraSpartan pointed out there is certainly strength in numbers. I can wholeheartedly understand why Perez took a breather, 451 entries for last year would make anyone want to take a break.

Candidate forum for supervisors

Here ye, here ye... a forum for 2nd district supervisors is this Saturday in Petaluma.

Desperate for attention, Zombies inform Candians about UHW trials

You know nobody cares about your cause when a majorly trumped up trial against former employees can't garner any free media attention. Shown below are the identically worded and the only press coverage about the upcoming trial. Both are from pay-to-play PR websites featuring the same tired arguments trotted out against the former leaders. This is evidence of yet another basic principle of interpersonal relations lost on the Zombies: if you have to pay someone to publicize your point of view then this should be a pretty good sign about the world's view of your argument. Put another way: Listen here Zombies, no one cares about your bogus trial. This is clearly an attempt to discredit NUHW, squander ever more dues paying members money on a futile effort and run NUHW out of town. In a year since the disastrous trusteeship can the Zombies point to one legitimate victory for their members? Zombies, feel free to chime in. I check my email frequently!

From what I've heard the trial will be 2 weeks long and the hearing officer is tightly limiting the focus, so much so that there is only 18 hours of testimony (per side) divided among the 26-ish former employees being questioned. At best this is just over 40 minutes per witness ! Is that worth the Zombies time and money? Of course not, but the Zombies are hell-bent on making an example of NUHW, and I suspect they will end up shooting themselves in the foot. Also, the judge has barred the Zombies from seeking damages for the Memorial and Fresno elections.

* * *

For my readers who want to support NUHW the trial is in San Francisco starting Monday, March 22. I've been told since the Zombies are likely to make a circus of the trial supporters of NUHW are encouraged to take the high road and just wear NUHW button to show support. The hours and address of the trial are shown just above the Like Minded Folks sidebar.

Here's the same bit published in Canada. Canada! Do you think anyone in Canada cares about what is going on in California? Or is this just a sign of how desperate the Zombies are to get their point of view across

Will they succeed in their goals? No, but I'm sure it will backfire on them horribly, and we'll all be having a good gut laugh once this charade is through. More as it comes: the saga of David v. Goliath is only going to get better!

UDW steps up, Zombies missing in action

So here we are a month after the 2010-2011 budget proposal and Zombie UHW is missing in action. No email, mailers or phone calls soliciting members' involvement or explaining their actions to prevent the annual War on Homecare. UDW, the other union that represents homecare workers in California, has put together a comprehensive guide on what and how homecare workers (regardless of union affiliation) and citizens can do to help. So even if you are not a homecare worker, as a Californian, and you can help homecare with any of the suggested ideas shown on the website. It can be a simple as a single click of your mouse to send a fill in your demographic info email or writing a letter to the editor.

 

Last hurdle for Memorial workers?

The Memorial workers are a patient group. First, they approached SEIU for unionization about 7 years ago; later came the backing of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Uncharacteristic of UHW at the time they were kicked to the curb by the Zombies around the time the trusteeship came down. Of course they tried to blame NUHW but all the Zombies had to do was pick up the phone and say "we've been a  little busy adjusting to our new management here in Oakland, but we're ready to continue our efforts". But as shown here they did...nothing! So when the good folks at Memorial were approached by NUHW to continue their unionization efforts, this awoke the Zombie beast with an onslaught of pricey and very ineffective mailers. Throw in some turkey, cake and a "this is the only support we're giving you" rally and you could see why they were both exhausted and yet very ready to vote for NUHW.

It appears all that's left is a hearing to discuss (and hopefully resolve) the remaining 4 of management's original 10 objections. They've recanted 6 of their objections probably to avoid the embarrassment of having them dismissed by the NLRB. Here are the remaining 4 objections.

 

(click image above to read all objections)

FULL DISCLOSURE: the above referenced document was originally 9 pages but the pages discussing the contested votes were removed to prevent further publicizing the names of the contested voters.

I can't believe "font and font styles" (#9) as well as the Board agents failing to man handle voters (#8) complaints remain. However, it is what it is and the workers would sincerely appreciate a strong turn out at the Federal Building at 777 Sonoma Ave (at D Street), Santa Rosa. The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 22 in Room 215 and will likely run all of Monday and into Tuesday.

So read the modified complaints and show up to the hearing next Monday at 9. See you there!

Scam Artists Posing as IHSS Fraud Investigators

From the California Progress Report is a report from Noreen Evans (Democrat is State Assembly, 7th District). Spread the word and watch out everyone, the Governator's plan for killing the poor and disabled has yet another bit of collateral damage for or which we must all be aware.

 

Member alienation beyond UHW is alive and well

Where will the Zombie madness stop? It's certainly not contained to just UHW; now the Local 1021 folks in Marin county have said enough is enough. They have the file in the cake and they are busting their way out of Zombieland. Knock 'em dead L1021 members

Broadening my scope; further reading

When I created this blog I had a strict focus on NUHW efforts for representation of Sonoma county healthcare workers. My intent was to unite all healthcare workers by informing fellow workers of what was going all across the county and the industry in the county. Since then I have posted entries having to do with state politics that affect homecare workers. I keep up on what is happening elsewhere in the state including the landslide victory for Kaiser workers in southern California. There is too much amazing stuff (victories, mostly) going on and too much to share to keep a lid on this very exciting workers'/members' revolt. So without duplicating what is already covered on ¡Adiós, Andy!, Stern Burger with Fries, I am going to expand my focus to the occasional entry about what is going on outside of Sonoma county but is NUHW related and always quite exciting. Here's a taste of what else is going in the wonderful world of NUHW and other progressive causes in the labor movement. I feel the best defense against the Zombie war & propaganda machine in information from multiple
sources. So read up: it's quite entertaining.

I read and am inspired by Tasty Burger's Stern Burger with Fries blog as well as Sierra Spartan's always impressive ¡Adiós, Andy! Both have a year of trusteeship in review shown here (Tasty's) as well as here (Sierra's). So go forth and y'all, there is whole world of Zombie stupidity which is very well documented.

4th District Canidate Mike McGuire

I met Mike at the NUHW fundraiser last year and found a pleasant guy who really listened to the plight of SEIU prisoners in general and specifically homecare members. He's now running for 4th District County supervisor. Though this blog entry is a not an endorsement, I thought I'd publicize his effort nonetheless.

Below is the text of his email inviting folks to his meet and greet. I'll be there so maybe you can join me in bending his ear and letting him know healthcare workers deserve better consideration than his predecessor. His stated goals are good but healthcare is conspicuously absent. Let's plant the seeds of knowledge now so he's familiar with our needs if he become supervisor.

It's my birthday so I'll be hoisting a pint or two!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You're Invited!

Dear Neighbor,

My name is Mike McGuire and I am running for Sonoma County Supervisor.

I am running to represent every resident of Sonoma County, but I want you to know I have a personal relationship with Cloverdale.

My mom lives in town and my grandparents were residents of Clover Springs for more than a decade. In addition, I have already knocked on hundreds of doors throughout the community.

That’s why I hope you will be able to join us at a special event filled with live music, great food and wonderful Sonoma County ales hosted by Cloverdale Councilmember Mary Ann Brigham, Healdsburg Mayor and Cloverdale dentist Jim Wood and Cloverdale attorney Jim DeMartini:

WHAT: Celebrate Cloverdale and Meet-Up with Mike McGuire!

WHEN: Thursday, January 21, 5:30 – 7:00 PM

WHERE: Ruth McGowan's Brewpub, 131 East St., Cloverdale (map)

HOSTED BY: Cloverdale Councilmember Mary Ann Brigham, Healdsburg Mayor and Cloverdale dentist Jim Wood and Cloverdale attorney Jim DeMartini

RSVP: Click here or contact Mike at (707) 838-3279 or Events@MikeForSupervisor.com
Please be sure to let us know how many people are coming!

I’m running for supervisor because I believe a better Sonoma County starts with taking bold steps to improve our economy, restore excellence to our schools, protect our environment and preserve our strong agricultural heritage.

I look forward to listening to what you have to say about the issues that are important to your family. Together, we’ll make Cloverdale’s prosperity a priority!

I hope to see you on the 21st in Cloverdale!

Mike McGuire

Homecare alert: Upcoming CD-CAN tele-meetings Tue, Jan 12 & Wed, Jan 13

Lifted right out of the CD-CAN email newsletter.

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TOWNHALL TELEMEETINGS WITH STATE OFFICIALS

FOCUS ON GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PROPOSALS

Jan 12th - IHSS & Other Social Service Programs

Jan 13th - Regional Centers & Developmental Centers

Free CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings Accessible By Any Phone Line – People With Disabilities, Mental Health Needs, the Blind, Seniors, Families, Community Providers & Workers Who Provide Supports and Services Can Participate & Ask Questions

Two free public forums, called “CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings” are scheduled for January 12th (Tuesday) and January 13th (Wednesday) that bring together – via toll free phone lines – senior Schwarzenegger Administration officials and hundreds of people with disabilities, mental health needs, the blind, seniors, their families, community organizations, facilities and workers who provide supports and services, and other advocates, to hear and ask questions on the Governor’s latest budget proposals.

The focus of the January 12th townhall telemeeting is on the Governor’s proposal dealing with In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), and other services under the Department of Social Services.  The focus of the January 13th telemeeting is on budget proposals impacting developmental services including community based services funded through the 21 non-profit regional centers, and services provided by the state owned and operated developmental centers and 2 smaller facilities.

Governor Expected to Propose Major New Spending Cuts on Friday

The Governor is expected to propose major new spending reductions that impact health and human services when he releases his proposed State budget for 2010-2011 on Friday (January 8th).

In addition, the Governor is also expected to propose major mid-year spending cuts in order to address the shortfall growing in the current State budget for 2009-2010 (the current State budget year ends June 30, 2010).

Telemeetings Open To Everyone

CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings are open to everyone and meant to bring public policymaking to those who have historically been shut out and others across the state, including people in nursing or other facilities, group homes, or in day or other site based programs.   Thousands have participated in these free townhalls since early 2003.

All townhalls are recorded and the recordings are usually available within 24 hours or less for downloading on the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us

Persons who cannot participate in this townhall telemeeting but would like a question asked to the director (or other department official) can send their question (via email) to Marty Omoto at martyomoto@rcip.com   Your question will be asked for you – and you can hear the audio recording of the townhall telemeeting later in the day at the CDCAN website.

Additional Telemeetings To Be Scheduled On Medi-Cal & Other Issues

Additional telemeetings, depending on resources and funding, will be scheduled on an on-going basis as they have since early 2003, and will include a focus on Medi-Cal, special education, accessible housing and transportation, mental health, and other issues critical to people with disabilities, mental health needs, the blind, people with traumatic brain and other injuries, people with MS, Alzheimer’s and other disorders, seniors, their families, community organizations, facilities and workers who provide supports and services across the State.

CDCAN TOWNHALL TELEMEETING SCHEDULED (TO DATE)

General format of CDCAN townhall telemeetings opens with introduction of speakers, followed by updates from the speaker. The townhall telemeeting is then opened up to questions from the hundreds of people who call in across the State.

JANUARY 12, 2010 – TUESDAY

1:00 to 2:30 PM

FEATURING:

· John Wagner, Director, California Department of Social Services

· Eva Lopez, Deputy Director – Adult Programs Division

FOCUS:

Governor’s budget proposals impacting In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment grant program), community care licensing, and also updates on impact to adoption assistance/foster care programs and CalWORKS, the state’s “welfare to work” program  (all three programs impact many families with children and parents with special needs and disabilities)

JANUARY 13, 2010 – WEDNESDAY

1:00 to 2:45 PM

FEATURING:

· Terri Delgadillo, Director – Department of Developmental Services
· Mark Hutchinson, Chief Deputy Director
· Julia Mullen, Deputy Director
· Rita Walker, Deputy Director

FOCUS:

Governor’s budget proposals (and status of previous budget proposals enacted) impacting regional centers who coordinate community-based funded services and supports to over 240,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities, including thousands of infants and toddlers in the California Early Start program (California’s early intervention program).  Officials will also provide updates on Governor’s proposals impacting the 4 remaining state owned and operated developmental centers and 2 smaller health facilities (one of which is scheduled for closure February 2010).

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN BOTH TOWNHALLS:

The instructions to participate in either CDCAN Townhall Telemeeting is the same below:

STEP 1: Dial toll-free number:  877-551-8082  (there is no passcode)

STEP 2: Wait for operator – who will ask for your name and the city you are from

Note: to protect people’s privacy, only the first name and the city location will be announced on the townhall for anyone wanting to ask a question

STEP 3: Anyone can ask a question (or make brief comment) – wait for instructions that will be announced during the townhall telemeeting.

Please Note:

· Absolute zero tolerance for anyone who is rude or disrespectful (the audience or speakers)

· People Should Speak Simply - With a large and diverse audience of hundreds  of people, including those with all types of physical and developmental disabilities, language and cultural backgrounds, persons (both speakers and people asking questions) should speak simply and not use insider government or program terms or abbreviations.  This is important because of people’s backgrounds, experience and disabilities, but also because CDCAN is working to provide  real time language translations.  

· Pending Lawsuits - Officials from either department (or any state, federal or county government agency) cannot comment on specific issues subject to a pending lawsuit.  Officials may be able to provide general status information on those specific cases where the State has already released information on how it is implementing a court order – meaning a previously or soon to be released All County Letter, Notice or other instructions sent out to the public.  However they will not be able to comment or provide details beyond what has already been publicly released.

Poll is closed: "Servicing Employers Instead of Us" wins

So who wants to write their own anti-SEIU/Memorial management/etc blog entry? Any reader rant will fit in just with what I've written. Below is some inspiration for you.

Tell Memorial Hospital to Drop Their Objections, Respect Workers' Decision

So, what can you do to voice your opinion about this disappointing but expected turn of events? You can attend the rally tomorrow. Below is the email I received from Steve Sidawi, union organizer for Memorial workers.

Urgent Action Tomorrow: Tell Memorial Hospital to Drop Their Objections, Respect Workers' Decision

Where: Outside Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital

When: Wednesday, December 30, 11:45 a.m.

We have just learned that Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital management is attempting to get the historic union election overturned. SRMH has filed outrageous "objections" charging that NUHW and community supporters engaged in conduct "preventing employees from exercising their choice." Among the absurdities they are alleging are surveillance, interrogation, videotaping employees, and obstructing the entrance to hospital meeting rooms. They also allege that the NLRB created confusion by using different "font styles" on the ballot. Management's objections are especially insulting because they are an implicit attack on the right of community supporters to advocate for a fair election.

See you there tomorrow!

NUHW crushes SEIU/Memorial media round up

Here is a round up of the media coverage that has been published since I witnessed the edge-of-my-seat vote count Friday evening. 

I was busy hanging with the purple and yellow folks this weekend. No, not the Zombies (not ever), but rather the Lions club of which I am a member. Their colors are also yellow and purple like SEIU. However, unlike SEIU We Serve. We set politics aside, and in the context of a service club, we do what is best for everyone, regardless.

Anyway, my mind is wandering after an exhausting weekend so I'm gonna turn in. I'm taking "Mrs. Söze" on a li'l road trip tomorrow in honor of our 10 years together, so I'll be back in the office (read: on the couch) Tuesday morning. In the mean time, enjoy the blogs I look to: ¡Adiós, Andy! and Stern Burger with Fries for breaking news on Zombie stupidity.

UPDATE (12/24): Upstart Union Deals Blow to SEIU, Raises Prospects for Future Fights (In These Times)

UPDATE (12/21): NUHW Trounces SEIU 283-13 to Win Santa Rosa Election (Beyond Chron)

UPDATE (12/21): National Consequences for Memorial Hospital Union Vote (Empire Report)

NUHW is Decisive in Santa Rosa, SEIU Tries to Postpone Defeat (Labor Notes)
 
NUHW in Santa Rosa: a David versus two Goliaths (Daily Kos)

Breakaway union claims victory in Memorial Hospital vote (Press Democrat)

Upstart union wins a plurality in Sonoma County hospital vote (L.A. Times)