UNION MEMBERS ARRESTED FOR ORGANIZING AT USC HOSPITAL -- CALL ADMIN NOW!!

We need your help as heavy handed union busting continues at USC University Hospital, which is scheduled to have a union election May 26 and 27.

 

May 13, Mitch Creem, CEO of USC University Hospital prevented union members from having access to their organizers by barring organizers from the National Union of Healthcare Workers from entering the public cafeteria, violating labor law.  When the NUHW organizers stated their right to be in the hospital to help workers organize their union and showed him their access letter from attorneys, Cream ordered security to do a citizen’s arrest on three organizers.  They are being charged with trespassing.

This follows last week’s suspension of union members Michael Torres and Julio Estrada for coming to the hospital in their off hours.  In this incident, Creem called LAPD to have the workers arrested, but LAPD refused, saying that Torres and Estrada had a right to be there.

This is illegal and clearly in retaliation for organizing.  Workers have the right to organize, but USC is ramping up its harassment before the election.  NUHW is filing an unfair labor practice charge with National Labor Relations Board -- but this will take a lot of time, exactly what USC wants.

The workers are asking for us to CALL and EMAIL the administration, human resources, and hospital management in solidarity ASAP.  Callers should also express support for the nurses and students' demands to meet with the administration.  Please see below for contact numbers and a sample message.

Even if you called after Estrada and Torres were suspended, CALL AGAIN!  USC is escalating their union busting tactics.  We must send the message that we know what they are doing and we want them to stop.

Contacts:- Mitchell Creem, Chief Executive Officer, USC University Hospital & SC Norris Cancer Hospital creem@health.usc.edu +1 323 442 8444, 323-442-8656

Matthew McElrath, Chief Human Resources Officer, USC Hospital matthew.mcelrath@health.usc.edu +1 323 442 8645-

Steven Sample, USC President, presofc@usc.edu, 213-740-2111

CL Max Nikias, Provost, provost@usc.edu 213-740-2101

Sample message:

"I am outraged to hear that USC Hospital is violating labor law by preventing union organizers from entering the public hospital cafeteria yesterday [May 13], and that they went as far as to place them under citizen’s arrest.  This is clearly illegal, and is intended to intimidate workers who wish to organize.  I demand that USC put an end to these blatant union busting tactics.  I demand that the university drop all charges against the union organizers arrested yesterday, and that USC end all intimidation, harassment, and retaliation of workers for organizing. 

The right to organize is one of the most basic rights workers have, and I am deeply disturbed that USC is engaged in suppressing workers rights. 

Furthermore, I support the demands of the nurses from the California Nurses Association, as well as students, to meet with the administration as soon possible.  I support their calls for an end to union-busting, and for rescinding the Weissman Group -- that USC is pouring so much money into an anti-union consulting firm is a disgusting misprioritization of resources.

I urge you to redress the above concerns at once.  Let me know your response so that I can inform my colleagues, friends, family and community."

WORKERS SUSPENDED FOR ORGANIZING -- CALL USC ADMIN!!!

Two workers who are leaders in union organizing have been suspended -- Michael Torres (who has been coming to the actions at USC) and Julio Estrada. This is the latest in USC's effort to squash union organizing with the help of union busting consulting firm The Weissman Group.

The reasons for suspension were that last week, Michael was at the hospital during his day off, and talked to Julio. Although workers often come to the hospital during their time-off, the management called the LAPD Labor Detail -- which didn't intervene and said Michael had the right to be there.  However, the next day management called the workers, to say they were suspended and under investigation.

This is illegal and clearly in retaliation for organizing, especially since the election date is now set for May 26 and 27. Workers have the right to organize and discuss workplace conditions, but USC is ramping up its harassment before the election. NUHW is filing an unfair labor practice charge with National Labor Relations Board -- but this will take a lot of time, exactly what USC wants.

- Please CALL and EMAIL the administration, human resources, and hospital management in solidarity!  Demand that the suspended workers be reinstated ASAP, that USC end retaliation for organizing, and that USC rescind the Weissman Group.  Also, please express support for the nurses' and students' demands to meet with the administration -- so far hospital management has refused nurses' request for a meeting.  Please see below for contact numbers.

  The USC admin is protective of their public image so the more calls the better!

- Mitchell Creem, Chief Executive Officer, USC University Hospital & SC Norris Cancer Hospital
creem@health.usc.edu +1 323 442 8444, 323-442-8656
- Matthew McElrath, Chief Human Resources Officer, USC Hospital
matthew.mcelrath@health.usc.edu +1 323 442 8645

- Steven Sample, USC President, presofc@usc.edu, 323-740-2111
- CL Max Nikias, Provost, provost@usc.edu 323-740-2101