Stanford caregivers vote to join SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West

STANFORD, Calif.—Stanford Hospital workers voted 3-to-1 on Thursday to join SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West (SEIU-UHW), requiring Stanford to recognize the voice of caregivers who have been united in SEIU for more than ten years.
 
In July, Stanford Hospital claimed that the recent merger of a smaller union with the statewide SEIU-UHW meant they could stop recognizing their workers’ union.
 
“We formed this union so we’d have a voice to advocate for safe staffing levels and the resources and equipment we need to do our jobs, and Stanford management has used every opportunity they could to take our voice away,” said Robert Valenzuela, a patient transporter for more than 12 years.
 
“Today we voted to tell Stanford they can’t keep shutting caregivers out of important patient care decisions.”
 
State Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber was present when the votes were counted.
 
"This is a very important outcome for these workers and their families, and also for the community that depends on the quality healthcare they provide,” she said.
 
“It is going to have a positive impact on healthcare here in South Bay, because the input of frontline caregivers will be taken into account when decisions are made that affect patients and the community."