Service workers union at Rady Children's Hospital fought to win contract, now fights for survival

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20070819-9999-lz1b19darce.html

By Keith Darcé
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

August 19, 2007

Just four months after securing a first-ever contract for service workers at Rady Children's Hospital, the union that waged the hard-fought battle for the labor agreement is on the ropes.


EDUARDO CONTRERAS / Union-Tribune
After securing a first-ever labor contract with Rady Children's Hospital four months ago, certified nurse assistant Macrina Cale and other members of the Service Employees International Union say there has been no peace at the San Diego facility.

Rady managers and some workers are pushing for a decertification vote that, if successful, would remove the Service Employees International Union from the hospital and nullify a two-year contract that covers 700 of Rady's 3,200 employees.

A defeat could stifle the union's plans to organize more service workers at other hospitals in San Diego County – a key part of the group's national strategy to boost membership.

Union leaders, meanwhile, have accused managers of violating contract provisions that allow union representatives to meet with workers at the hospital and to represent them in grievance proceedings.

Management has continued efforts to discredit the union and to sow discontent among its members, said Macrina Cale, a certified nurse assistant and union negotiator.

“Now, the employees are confused,” Cale said last week. “Everything is: They (managers) are good and SEIU is bad.”

FULL story at link.