Caregivers at Alameda County Clinic to Strike Over Bad-Faith Bargaining by Clinic ...( Tues. Vigil Precedes Weds. Work Stopp...),Health

Tues. Vigil Precedes Weds. Work Stoppage After Bosses Bar the Door to Consideration of Worker Requests in Talks Over New Contract

UNION CITY, Calif., June 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Scores of health caregivers at a community clinic in the Southeast Bay Area will strike this Weds. to highlight unfair treatment by management in their push for a new contract. A Tuesday night vigil precedes the one-day strike on Wednesday.

Managers at the clinics have outsourced services and refused to meet with the workers' union, SEIU UHW, to discuss concerns over the issue. Use of contractors has also increased demands on workers to translate crucial healthcare information for patients, but management has refused to negotiate over bilingual pay for workers expected to perform this vital task. In addition, many of the trusted caregivers at Tiburcio Vasquez have worked in the clinic for several years. Yet management has blocked consideration of pay in recognition of such seniority.

"We all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. There is no accountability system in place for administration," said Bertha Adame, a case manager at the clinic for 18 years and SEIU UHW member.

Local elected officials, including Union City councilmember Richard Valle and Fremont city councilmember Robert Wieckowski, joined scores of workers at a Mon. noon informational picket to express concern for the breakdown in bargaining that led to strike preparation by the SEIU UHW caregivers. They called TVHC workers a vital piece of the healthcare safety net for south Alameda County residents. Local clergy also plan to show their support Tues. for justice for Tiburcio Vasquez healthcare workers.

What: Vigil by healthcare workers at Tiburcio Vasquez clinics.

Where: 22331 Mission Boulevard, Hayward

When: Tuesday, June 23, at
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