Articles

EAA and NUHW Hold Joint Stewards Meeting

In EAA news, at their meeting Monday the ERB declined to make a decision regarding the MOU 17 election results in the face of so many unresolved issues regarding conduct of the election.

Brother Sal Rosselli, President of NUHW spoke about the history of healthcare unions in California, a history spanning 75 years. He detailed how the unions grew, became allied as SEIU locals and ultimately merged to form UHW. Under Brother Rosselli’s leadership UHW negotiated some of the strongest union contracts anywhere in the healthcare industry. He detailed Andy Stern’s power grab and sweetheart deals with management, and how the protests by UHW leaders led to SEIU trusteeship, break-up and ousting of all elected UHW officials.

We then witnessed the birth of NUHW, a bottom-up democratic union in the style of EAA. Many individuals quit jobs with SEIU and volunteered to work for the fledgling union. Others now working for NUHW, including many of the Stewards, were "ousted" and replaced by Stern’s appointed goons. Brother Rosselli encouraged us all to work together for unity, respect, and a democratic voice for all workers.

Brother Michael Davies, EAA Board President, echoed many of the same feelings in his review of EAA’s recent history. He addressed the issues of worker "comfort" so prevalent in government organizations, and the realization of a true union spirit in many EAA members since the job actions and management’s actions in the current budget mess. He encouraged all union members to be part of the solution and stand up and fight for their rights.

In the open forum session, Stewards reiterated that SEIU has become an arm of management and seems to care only for power and money, with no regard for the people who make up their membership. Many good ideas were shared that will assist both organizations in resisting the Purple Plague.

All speakers were enthusiastic and engaged, so were greeted with cheers and applause. It is inspiring to partake in the true spirit of unionism in action. EAA is proud to share with NUHW and both unions believe this is part of a mutually beneficial relationship that will only become stronger.