We started Week 5 with new people on the picket lines and a strong showing in Los Angeles after Kaiser and the police blocked the distribution of food boxes on Friday.
In Anaheim, two medical social workers who provide care inside people’s homes began striking today and joined their steward on the picket line. They didn’t think they could afford to strike, but after four weeks dealing with the issues inside of Kaiser they decided they belonged on the picket line with their coworkers.
Meanwhile, we had an extra strong and spirited line in Los Angeles. At one point, there were more people on the picket line than there were picket signs as we marched directly in front of the hospital entrance to demonstrate our renewed determination after Kaiser’s blocking of the food distribution outside the hospital on Friday.
Despite Kaiser’s attempts at obstruction, we were able to distribute all of the 500-plus pounds all the fresh produce on Friday. Workers from the picket lines in Los Angeles, Downey and Bakersfield came to our Glendale office to pick up food boxes. Nothing went to waste.
New complaint filed against Kaiser
We’re continuing to get intelligence from patients and workers about violations that Kaiser is committing during the strike.
On Friday, we issued a complaint calling for an immediate investigation into whether Kaiser is violating federal Medicare regulations by failing to staff enough medical social workers for its hospice services. The complaint documents severe understaffing in San Diego and Fontana. In San Diego, the complaint alleges that multiple patients reported suffering pain to the replacement medical social workers on duty, but the replacement workers never followed up with nursing staff.
Upcoming Actions
- On Wednesday, we’ll be handing out new strike t-shirts to everyone on the picket line. Don’t miss out on the chance to get your regular NUHW shirt laundered!
- On Thursday, we’ll be holding simultaneous 12 p.m. rallies with local leaders outside Kaiser headquarters in Pasadena and Oakland. While we gather outside Kaiser’s Southern California headquarters at 393 E. Walnut Street in Pasadena, Kaiser mental health workers in Northern California will gather outside Kaiser’s corporate headquarters in Oakland to rally in support of the strike and a fair contract in Southern California.
Hardship Fund info and other resources
There’s a new deadline to apply for hardship funds. Applications for the fund are now due Fridays by 11:59 p.m. for disbursement for the following Friday. You can find the official rules for disbursement here and the application form here. Hardship funds are nontaxable income, and can be claimed as gifts.
Picket line photos
See the gallery of photos below, and see more on NUHW’s social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
