SEIU 721-Represented Healthcare Workers, Clergy, and Patients to Deliver 10-Day Strike Notice in Response to Watts Health Center’s Repeated Labor Law Violations; Gear Up for Unfair Labor Practice Strike to Protect Patient Safety
LOS ANGELES — Workers on the frontlines of South LA’s COVID-19 response will deliver their 10-day strike notice to Watts Health Center management this Thursday, April 1st. Their bold action comes after allegations that Watts has engaged in repeated labor law violations, including harassment and threats of employees, surveillance of union activity, and denying union staff access to frontline workers.
Watts Health Center workers have been key to pandemic response and were among the first to provide COVID-19 testing to vulnerable patients South LA. Over the past year there have been multiple outbreaks of Coronavirus among Watts staff, but despite workers literally putting their lives on the line to provide vital care, it took four months at the bargaining table for Watts Health Center management to withdraw its proposal to cut employee sick time. To date, Watts management has continued to refuse to address rampant understaffing issues that threaten patient safety.
Watts Health Center workers, the majority of whom are represented by SEIU 721, have indicated they’re willing to do whatever it takes to protect public health in South Los Angeles, and authorized their strike with an unprecedented 100% yes vote just weeks ago. Negotiations are scheduled to resume on April 13th. Workers hope that Watts Health Center returns to the table prepared to resolve all issues and avert the need for a strike.
WHO: Watts Health Center workers, faith leaders, community members.
WHAT: Watts Health Center workers to announce strike to protect public health.
WHEN: Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 10:30AM
WHERE: 10300 Compton Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90002
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CONTACT: Roxane Marquez (213) 705-1078
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