Search News
For the Media
For media inquiries, call CWA Communications at 202-434-1168 or email comms@cwa-union.org. To read about CWA Members, Leadership or Industries, visit our About page.
Hemet Valley Hospital Workers Organize for Survival
When belt-tightening at Hemet Valley Hospital became down right mean-spirited, licensed vocational nurses, clinical technicians and laboratory technicians responded, choosing representation by CWA Local 9588. They voted 59-54 on Sept. 19 to bring their unit of 187 workers into the local.
With pensions frozen, longevity pay and leave for jury duty gone, the workers at the California hospital realized they needed a voice. “They felt the only way they could survive was to have a union,” said Local 9588 Executive Vice President George Oropeza.
Assisted by Oropeza and Local 9588 Stewards Juan Noriega and Paul Williams, the workers began an aggressive campaign in November 1999.
Dana Hutton, LVN, Vera Williams, central service technician, and Robin McRoyal and Cheryl Kitts, respiratory technicians, led efforts by the inside committee, distributing and retrieving show-of-interest cards.
“There was a lot of one-on-one. We spent a lot of time at the hospital cafeteria, talking to employees, also phone banking,” Oropeza said. “The message was if we all stick together, it will make a difference.”
Oropeza said the fact the local has represented service and maintenance employees at the hospital since 1973 helped to build trust among the technical unit.
The local is taking a survey to determine bargaining issues and hopes to begin negotiations shortly.
With pensions frozen, longevity pay and leave for jury duty gone, the workers at the California hospital realized they needed a voice. “They felt the only way they could survive was to have a union,” said Local 9588 Executive Vice President George Oropeza.
Assisted by Oropeza and Local 9588 Stewards Juan Noriega and Paul Williams, the workers began an aggressive campaign in November 1999.
Dana Hutton, LVN, Vera Williams, central service technician, and Robin McRoyal and Cheryl Kitts, respiratory technicians, led efforts by the inside committee, distributing and retrieving show-of-interest cards.
“There was a lot of one-on-one. We spent a lot of time at the hospital cafeteria, talking to employees, also phone banking,” Oropeza said. “The message was if we all stick together, it will make a difference.”
Oropeza said the fact the local has represented service and maintenance employees at the hospital since 1973 helped to build trust among the technical unit.
The local is taking a survey to determine bargaining issues and hopes to begin negotiations shortly.