So we met with management this afternoon and they started off bargaining by saying how bad the economy is and how we have lost so many members. The same thing that we have been hearing over and over in the CVA. As we all know, we have heard about how bad membership is and the struggles that Kaiser is going through. Same old, same old from management's mouth, and we all were falling asleep because we've heard it all before and seen their slides. But then Dave Regan got up to speak . . .
Once Dave started in, the whole room woke up and cheered what he had to say--except management, of course. He told it how it is: We have all seen the slides and heard the financial info, but we were not going to let Kaiser take ANYTHING away from us. We are NOT backing down. We are at a fork in the road. Kaiser can either choose to go the way that they are comfortable with and we can drag this out until next year, or they can agree to not take away our healthcare benefits and we can all move forward. If we move forward, we can get these millions of members from the new heathcare reform bill on board with Kaiser. But if they choose to go the long road and try to get takeaways then we will spend our time battling each other rather than working together to get all those millions of members. This would only cost Kaiser more money.
I have come to find that Dave is about the people and a very down to earth man who does not sugarcoat anything. He does not try to speak above anyone's head. Management likes to talk around the point but Dave gets right to the point. He states facts and lets it be known that we are united and we are ready to fight. It doesn't matter what side of the table you are sitting on, every word that comes out of his mouth you will understand whether you want to or not.
In the CVA I know that there are a lot of people who still question our leadership. I did so myself at one time. But I truly know now that our leadership and our sisters and brothers here today are all ready to fight and give it our all. But you all need to understand that it is not only up to us here. It is up to all of you out there too! The CVA needs to stand up right now for our contract and our rights. We need to show Kaiser that what Dave said is true: We will not let Kaiser take anything away from us! Kaiser will not touch our benefits, our wages, or our job security! If they continue to attack our benefits, we will continue to fight back. But it takes all of us, including each and every person in the CVA.
If you know me, you know that I will always say, "Do not come complaining if you choose to do nothing." Needless to say, if you choose not to stand up and fight this battle by wearing stickers, rallying, marching, picketing, and whatever else it takes to make management see that we will battle them, then do not complain in the end if your wages and benefits are not the same for you and your family! It's time for the CVA to open our eyes and see that we are in the battle of our lifetimes and our SEIU-UHW leadership is standing behind us!
In Solidarity,
Victoria DeLacruz
