On November 17, 2009 Local 5 Kaiser members around the state exercised their rights.
Over 90% of all Local 5 Kaiser workers at 21 different locations participated in “button up day”. The button proclaimed that we are all united behind the goal of defending our medical and defending our jobs.
At Moanalua Medical Center the company tried to deny workers their right to union representation and even attempted to get the Police to escort our representatives off property. Many workers were angered by this action and were happy when the Police rightfully decided not to remove the Union representatives.
You have a right to see your Union representatives under our contract, page 67. Simply talking to your representative, even while on the clock, does not constitute a disruption of work.
Button day also included a mass delegation to hospital administration. Over 100 people participated, including community leaders and hotel workers. Local 5 hotel workers delivered a petition of over 1100 signatures urging a fair settlement. Community leaders asked that Kaiser move quickly to settle the contract, making sure that current workers have their jobs protected from subcontracting and NUNEs have a fair and equal process to join the Union. They also thanked Kaiser workers for the great care they deliver to the community.
Congratulations on standing up for your rights.
Do you have pictures to share with us? Please send them to us! You can email us your digital photos at networking@unitehere5.org and we’ll add them to our slideshow with your name. Thanks!