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500 More Kaiser Professionals Unite for Good Jobs, Quality Services Across ...

LOS ANGELES--( EON: Enhanced Online News )--A group of 500 information technology professionals at Kaiser facilities across California overwhelmingly said “yes” to join Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers – West (SEIU-UHW) on Thurs., June 30, to ensure quality jobs in our community, and reliable technology services at Kaiser.

“One of our main concerns is making sure we keep committed, experienced tech professionals at Kaiser. Our patients depend on us to keep their data safe, and our coworkers depend on us to keep their computers and technology working,” said Maria Escalante, a senior desktop analyst at Kaiser South Bay. “Now we can focus on working with management in partnership to solve problems on the job.”

The election, certified Thursday afternoon by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), was conducted by a “card check” or sign-up. 57 percent of employees signed cards stating they wish to be represented by the union.

Information technology workers at Kaiser will now join 45,000 of their coworkers to prepare for contract negotiations in 2012 by conducting surveys to determine top priorities such as workload, quality of services and working more closely with management to solve problems on the job.

“We’re so thrilled to have more of our coworkers with us as we prepare for bargaining next year,” said Ben Marquez, a health information management coder at Kaiser Sunset. “Being strong and united across Kaiser helps us stand up for our patients and ensure quality services.”

All across California, healthcare workers are uniting in SEIU-UHW to advocate for patients and a stronger voice on the job. On Fri., June 24, 400 healthcare workers at Daughters of Charity’s St. Vincent Medical Center in downtown Los Angeles voted to join SEIU-UHW. Another 28 workers at Prime’s Garden Grove Hospital Medical Center in Orange County joined their coworkers in SEIU-UHW on Wed., June 22.

Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers – West (SEIU-UHW) is the largest hospital and healthcare union in the western United States with more than 150,000 members. We unite every type of healthcare worker with a mission to achieve high-quality healthcare for all. SEIU-UHW is part of the 2.2 million-member Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the nation's fastest-growing union.