Thousands Of Oakland Hospital Workers Strike

OAKLAND, CA — Thousands of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland workers walked off the job early Wednesday morning to begin an open-ended strike over a systemwide reorganization plan.

Some 1,300 members of the National Union of Healthcare Workers who currently work directly for Children's Hospital Oakland are slated to be moved into employment with UCSF Health.

The two separate organizations run the hospital system together and say that by "unifying the workforce" they will be able to improve long-term growth prospects and strengthen their ability to provide care.

By integrating NUHW into the UCSF Health workforce, however, the administration is canceling union contracts and cutting take-home pay for approximately 2,500 East Bay workers, including NUHW workers, members of the California Nurses Association and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 39.

"We're determined to stop UCSF from canceling our contracts, because it would make it harder for us to provide for our families and advocate for the East Bay kids we serve," said pharmacy technician Marques Williams.

NUHW leaders say their members would lose about $10,000 in take-home pay, as well as their seniority, because of the plan.

Hospital officials acknowledge that some workers might see a drop in take-home pay, since they currently pay nothing toward health insurance or retirement, but "will gain access to a far more valuable pension and comprehensive, long-term benefits."

Union leaders said they filed a grievance about the hospital's plan over allegations that it violates a contractual prohibition against subcontracting but Children's Hospital Oakland has refused to select an arbitrator.

In response, NUHW filed a lawsuit seeking to compel arbitration. A federal judge is scheduled to hear the complaint on June 26, according to union officials.

It's unclear how long the strike might last but currently the hospital's locations in Walnut Creek and Brentwood are closed.

Hospital officials said they are disappointed with the strike and how it's disrupting operations but said that critical care services like the emergency department and operating rooms are still up and running.

Patients are being notified by their clinics if their appointments change and if people have questions about an appointment, they can call Patient Relations at (415) 353-1936.

The striking NUHW members include nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, housekeepers, clerical workers and medical technicians.


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