Hundreds of SEIU health care workers are still on strike against California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) and Sutter Health Care (which owns CPMC).
An important issue is the establishment of staffing committees, represented by workers, management, with a health care expert as mediator. Sutter is one of the last major hospital systems in California that does not have these patient care committees.
Says Sutter Watch:
Caregivers demanded such safe-staffing systems after hospitals, seeking to boost their profits, cut staff to dangerously low levels. For example, Sutter's California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) cut staffing by 23% during a recent five-year period, according to state data.
Another issue motivating the workers is a proposed re-training and education fund.
At the strike website, you can also sign a petition to ask Sutter/CPMC to sign a Federal Mediator's compromise offer. There's a blog and pictures of the picket line, and also an adopt-a-striker fund set up especially to help families on the picket line.
Other developments:
Sutter is now under D.O.J. investigation for possible Medicare fraud. They are also under multiple state and local investigations for violation of their non-profit status and denying the uninsured medical care.
Andy Stern, president of the SEIU, has pledged $250,000 a week for the strike fund, and picket lines remain strong after 4 weeks.
Stern is quoted :
"This is not complicated,' Stern said. "Kaiser gets it. Catholic Healthcare West gets it. Every single hospital in California gets it.
State and local leaders, such as Gavin Newsom, Nancy Pelosi, and Barbara Boxer have asked Sutter to accept the Federally Mediated proposal. But Newsom could be pressured to be more vocal and, for instance, visit the picket lines as he did in the Hotel Workers strike. Feinstein hasn't said anything.
Jesse Jackson will speak at a rally this Wedneday at 5pm, outside the California Street campus.
In other ways to support the strike, the SEIU-Health Care West flier recommends calling the office of CPMC CEO Grant Davies, and asking them to "accept the Federal Mediator's compromise proposal". (Phone number here)
You can also write to Sutter at:
Sutter Health
2200 River Plaza Drive
Sacramento, CA 95833
And if you're in the area, strikers always appreciate people visiting the picket line and voicing support.