UHW Joins Blue Ribbon Panel on the Future of St. Luke'...( Healthcare workers join panel aft...),Health

Healthcare workers join panel after key ground rules established

OAKLAND, Calif., March 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Healthcare Workers-West, representing 1,200 caregivers employed by Sutter Health's California Pacific Medical Center and St. Luke's Hospital in San Francisco, has joined the Blue Ribbon Panel formed to develop a plan for the future of St. Luke's.

UHW agreed to participate in the panel after its co-chairs, with the agreement of city leaders and Sutter CPMC, established a set of ground rules to guarantee an open and accountable process.

These ground rules include:

-- a requirement that all meetings be public and adequately noticed, with a regular opportunity for public comment and a session devoted to direct public testimony before the panel;

-- an agreement that the panel's plan will be submitted for consideration to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and city administration;

-- the addition of a panel participant to be appointed by St. Luke's home district supervisor and longtime healthcare advocate Tom Ammiano;

-- maintenance of all current services at St. Luke's and a guarantee of no further staff reductions until the panel process is complete.

In addition, Sutter CPMC agreed to replace much of the capacity recently lost with the closure of the 10th floor Medical Surgical Unit at St. Luke's.

UHW, in consultation with labor and community allies, worked closely with city officials and panel co-chair Episcopal Bishop Marc Andrus to reach agreement on the specific terms.

"We are pleased that there are now guidelines in place to ensure this process is accountable to the patients, caregivers and community members who rely on St. Luke's for care," said Sal Rosselli, president of SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West. "We look forward to working with city officials and community allies to ensure that these guidelines are followed and that the panel's proposa
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