We had an eventful day on the picket lines, especially in Lancaster, where Kaiser security illegally walked around with a clipboard taking notes on what they saw. Strikers recorded Kaiser’s illegal surveillancing, and Kaiser’s overzealous head of security was so bothered by it that he grabbed the phone of a striker and threw it on the ground.
Kaiser might have thought that that would intimidate us, but no one broke a sweat. Everyone just picketed louder and more aggressively at the entrance to the facility. We’ll be filing a charge against Kaiser for its actions.
In other picket line news, newly-elected Assemblymember Robert Garcia marched with us in Fontana, strikers in Baldwin Park had good conversation with lots of patients about why they’re striking, and strikers in San Diego are preparing to start leafleting around the Kaiser facilities where they work throughout the county.
Breaking Down Barriers
Tomorrow’s theme on the picket lines is Breaking Down Barriers. This started on the Downey line Tuesday where Kaiser constructs physical barriers between strikers and the medical center. However, we all know that Kaiser also erects barriers preventing patients from accessing mental health care.
Each picket line will do their own take on the theme, with strikers in Fontana planning to build their own “brick” wall for their colleagues to break through.
Legislative Letters Update
Monday was the swearing-in ceremony for new state senators and assembly members. It was a great opportunity to get more legislators to sign on to the letters drafted by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire calling on Kaiser to settle the contract on our terms.
Legislators understand that Kaiser is a big problem when it comes to behavioral health care and that the issues can’t be fixed if Kaiser won’t treat mental health professionals in Southern California on par with other Kaiser workers.
As of today 42, legislators have confirmed that they will add their names to those letters.
Town Hall
Check your email to make sure you got the link to the Town Hall meeting this Sunday at 10 a.m. The meeting will take place over Zoom. All participants will get an update on the strike and be able to get their questions answered.
RSVP for our Tuesday event in Pasadena
We’re planning a late morning holiday gift and food distribution day on Tuesday, December 10 in Pasadena. The event will include a rally with remarks from allies and patients. More details to come, but you can RSVP now.
Hardship funds
Hardship fund applications are due by Friday at 11:59 p.m. for disbursement on the following Friday. You can find the official rules for disbursement here and the application form here.
Be sure to share the donation links with your extended networks to ensure we have adequate funds for disbursement. Please be patient as the committee works out our workflow and challenges with distributing such large amounts of money.
Picket line photos
See the gallery of photos below, and see more on NUHW’s social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
