Workers tell of hospital sanitation neglect during strike

Photo(s) by Luke Thomas

October 25, 2005

Striking health care workers yesterday reported trash accumulating in halls of one San Francisco hospital, as unofficial talks between management and labor continued sporadically.

More than 80 workers appeared before the Audit and Oversight Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors convened to hear status of the strike.

Representatives of California Pacific Medical Center declined attendance, and the hearing was continued following lengthy public testimony.

Chair Supervisor Aaron Peskin asked for movement in negotiations by Friday, after which Peskin promised additional steps in an attempt to end the stalemate.

Audit and Oversight Comittee chair, Supervisor Aaron Peskin

More than 800 workers have been on strike since September 13, with some 600 of those positions now filled by replacement workers.

The Service Employees International Union and United Healthcare Workers West want to return to the bargaining while talks continue.

John Borsos, Vice President Service Employees International Union

Representing mostly licensed vocational nurses, food service workers, custodians, and clerks, union members complained of being overworked to the point of poor patient care and trash accumulation.

A spokesperson for the hospital said such charges are untrue, and pointed to weekly patient satisfaction surveys remaining high during the strike.

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