Summit Hospital strike sets example for all of labor

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Part of the crowd of over 1000 hospital workers at May 29 rally at Summit Hospital in Oakland.

days. They have now moved to import 200 all union picketlines is clearly the single scab hospital workers from as far away as most important factor motivating the strikOAKLAND, Calif.—The last week of May witnessed the beginning of a militant Summit Medical Center is one of the Two rallies held at the hospital site on strike by five Bay Area trade unions which largest private hospitals in the San Francis- May 27 and May 29 attracted thousands of may set the example of the kind of solidari- co Bay Area. It was recently established union members and supporters. The united ty which can reinvigorate the entire U.S. through a merger agreement of Providence, demonstrations brought together a powerful Merritt and Peralta Hospitals, an agreement combination of forces that included many 1700 members of the California Nurses which included a staff reduction of some women workers, Blacks, Asians, and LatiAssociation; the Hospital Workers Union, nos. The strikers were obviously overjoyed Local 250; the Office and Professional The 1985 Providence contract retained Employees International Union, Local 29, the right of workers to respect the picket- The May 29 Oakland rally featured the the Hotel and Restaurant Employees lines of other unions at the hospital. Rev. Jesse Jackson, whose appeal for soliUnion, Local 28; and the International Similar language was lost by the unions at darity was well-received. A post-rally Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 6, Peralta and Merritt at about the same time. march ended up inside the hospital where shocked over-confident management nego- The three-way merger provided all five security guards initially attempted to intimtiators when they hit the bricks over a unions the opportunity to regain this idate striking workers who entered the dispute about the right of union members invaluable weapon the power to bring the lobby. They quickly backed off when conto respect picketlines put up by other full force of all workers together against a fronted with a much larger and determined recalcitrant, union-busting employer.

Management officials had predicted that While several other issues are in dispute, A meeting called on Saturday, June 30, union members would never strike. When including an inadequate healthcare package by the leadership of the Bay Area AFL-CIO they were proved wrong, they predicted that and an attempt by management to impose a Central Labor Councils and a number of the strike would disintegrate in a matter of iwo-tier wage system, the right to respect statewide and international unions pledged A report back by Michael Schreiber, co-editor 3425 Armv St.. San Francisco. CA 94110 Call (415) 821-0511 for more information.

*UT SUMMIT Denver, Colorado.

trade union movement.

300 workers. unions at the hospital.

Josaph Ryan/Soclallst Actlon ing hospital workers. at their newfound power. force. busting court order. agreement.

ers.

rately. The Tribune reported:

gage payment."

age, he said.

looked into the future."

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off one by one.

against that."' strate its power. adminunions

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"State of the Black Freedom Movement in South Africa"

Socialist Action newspaper, after a two-week fact fnding tour of South Africa.

For forums, classes and other activities, contact the Socialist Action branch in your areal SOCIALIST ACTION JUNE 1992