Inter-Con Security Officers to Launch Strikes at Kaiser Hospitals Across ...( Officers Issue 10-Day Notice ...),Health

Officers Issue 10-Day Notice of Unfair Labor Practice Strike

OAKLAND, Calif., April 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Security officers at Kaiser Permanente hospitals are ramping up their fight against employer Inter-Con, today issuing 10-day notice of an unfair labor practice strike in California to defend their civil rights. Inter-Con workers held the first-ever strike by hospital security officers last month in response to Inter-Con threatening, intimidating, and spying on workers who were trying to form a union for better conditions. Strikes will be held May 6, 7, and 8.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080425/CLF107 )

"We wanted a union for better pay and benefits -- just like other workers inside Kaiser. But instead we've got Inter-Con violating our civil rights. We go to work every day to protect these patients and employees, but we have no protections ourselves," said Warren Chauvin, Fremont.

Momentum from the first strike has built as Inter-Con continues to break the law and violate workers' civil rights. The strike could cover more than 240 workers. Officers will also hold solidarity activities at Kaiser in Colorado, DC, Ohio and Virginia during the California strike.

Inter-Con officers work for poverty wages, many making as little as $9/hour while at Kaiser. Many Inter-Con officers cannot afford the family healthcare coverage and do not have paid sick days. By comparison, facility janitors have free family healthcare, make a minimum of $11.50/hour and accrue paid sick leave.

"Without paid sick days, many of us are forced to work while we're sick. If I were to have to miss even one week I would be in danger of losing my apartment," said Dale Brown, Sacramento. "Plus I'm a single mother, and the insurance plan is too expensive for me to enroll my two kids."

Since November 2005, 1,500 Inter-Con security officers
'/>"/>