One good swipe deserves another

If you get the UHW Report you'll notice they never write about their election losses, until now. The quote below is from their report dated January 28, 2010. What strikes me as odd is they look down on the workers who chose NUHW by a cumulative ratio of 6:1. Specifically they state that "NUHW has put these workers at grave risk for their own purposes". Nevermind that the Zombies have already done this!

Small Kaiser Group Votes to Take Risk with NUHW

Ballots counted Tuesday, January 26 in an election among 2,300 Kaiser professionals, psych-social workers, and RNs show that those workers voted to leave SEIU-UHW to join NUHW. The election only affects this small group in Southern California and not the nearly 50,000 other SEIU-UHW members at Kaiser who are launching the biggest and most active statewide contract campaign in history.

NUHW has put these workers at grave risk for their own purposes. These workers had their raises and benefits locked in for almost two years. Now, they will have to re-bargain their contract on their own in this economic crisis--at the same time Kaiser is cutting healthcare and other costs among management and non-union workers.

Over the past year, 53,464 SEIU members have chosen to stay united in SEIU-UHW for better wages, healthcare, and other benefits. Only 2,600, including the recent Kaiser workers, have chosen NUHW, which still has no members under contract and few resources to fight for workers

Funny how they spin a staggering defeat into a sour grapes-ish look at those poor unfortunate souls! I wonder what they'll say when the next defeat is handed to them by the members they so boldly claim to "represent". Faithful readers of the Report will notice not one word was written when they lost the Memorial election.

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.

Community support for Memorial continues... (part 1)

As predicted (and even a month after the election), community and political support for Memorial workers hasn't wavered one bit. Shown below are letters from U.S. Representative Lynn Woolsey, Monsignor John Brenkle and JoAnn Consiglieri, Co-Chairs of the Fair Election Oversight Committee, and 3rd District Supervisor Shirlee Zane who will be featured in a subsequent blog entry.

First off is Woolsey's letter. I think getting a letter from a U.S. Representative would be startling; perhaps it will be the kickstart Memorial management so sorely needs.

(click image above to Super Size)

Next is a letter from Monsignor John Brenkle and JoAnn Consiglieri Co-Chair's of the Fair Election Oversight Committee.

(click image above to Super Size)

A bit more to the point than Woolsey's letter, but I think this is because they are much more involved in the struggle and don't have to fear backlash from voters. Clearly they are unafraid to call it as they see it: a stalling tactic

However the crown jewel in this outpouring of support for the Memorial workers is from our very own County Supervisor, Shirlee Zane. For her letter and a comparison to the Shirlee Zane of September 2009 see my next blog entry due out sometime before Monday morning.

Yeah Memorial workers, you're one step closer

Once again Internet newshound Andria Callas scoops all the bloggers be sending me the link to the article shown below. Turns out the NLRB has officially confirmed the 12 of the 17 contested ballots at the recent landslide election for union representation for 675 workers at Memorial were ineligible and therefore will have no effect on the election. Now, on to these lame objections filed by the hospital itself.

Bring on the stupid

As you may have heard a hundred times from Zombie robots roaming the streets we'll all lose our health insurance if we change unions, a claim that has been proven to be false in court. Even so the Zombies hired Fred Feinstein a lawyer/university professor to write a propaganda piece which has landed him in hot water and drawn his primary employer the University of Maryland into the NUHW/SEIU battle. Way to go Fred: voicing a union financed piece using university letterhead on something which you know nothing about! Just another way the Zombie's plan for world domination has back fired on them.

Supplementary reading

Though not centered in Sonoma County here are a few links for healthcare related issues covered in the press .

IHSS providers say DSS not so supportive (Capitol Weekly)

California Counties Blast State for Roll Out of New IHSS Program Changes (California Healthline)

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!

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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

Anna Burger reaches out...

... with a survey that is in ALL CAPS! In the online world writing in ALL CAPS comes across as yelling. As annoying as this is, it seems appropriate since they are losing their grip with members, politicians, other unions, etc. Here's her invite for a "brief survery". Are they ever brief? Should you click on the image below you can read the survey. I feel apathetic about filling out the survey, since I don't know what the Zombies will do with the answers, but it's interesting to read the Obama related questions and substitute Stern. Now that would be a survey worth taking! Note to Zombies: if you have to ask you really are clueless, but thanks for the dues financed feel good survey just the same!

About face, SEIU style (part 2)

Perhaps the UHW is member led once again. Or maybe it's the tail wagging the dog? Either way it seems Karen Timmons' about face was a preview of things to come at the House of Zombies. The Zombies have long relied on filing charges with the NLRB to slow down the pace of elections. Since the landslide victory against them at Memorial, they have been looking for a way to eck out a win, no matter how dumb the method makes them look. Fear not readers, they've found a way to do just that: beg the NLRB to rescind the blocking charges they filed! Turns out they have had a change in their black hearts and now want elections to happen as soon as possible. One wonders why the Zombies have decided to have the election for these 4000 workers go forth after trying so hard to keep them for voting. I suggest reading Sierra Spartan's poignant write up and the comments that follow.

Shown below is the Zombies lame press release. It's worth noting that this press release is really a members' dues financed ad for UHW; nobody anywhere is willing to write about their false-truths and backwards accomplishments. What does this tell us about the Zombies standing in the world?

Strident opponent to homecare will not seek relection

Yippee yeah! Paul Kelley has "accomplished" his goals and will not seek re-election to the 4th District (North Sonoma County). Looks like this roadblock to homecare advancement has taken himself out of the ring. Whew! 1 down 4 to go. You may remember the Board's unanimous decision to break the law and force us into poverty with lower wages. They were defeated in court, but still, their effort to break us will not soon be forgotten. And then there was the whole we'd-really-like-to-help-but-we-made-our-decision nonsense from last year.We have some tough nuts to crack here, folks.