The premiere episode of VoiceAtSaintJoes web radio is a conversation with Robert Reich, Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley, and former Secretary of Labor. Reich recently wrote SF Chronicle op-ed, "Does Labor Need More Clout?"
Excerpts from Robert Reich interview:
When I talked to the head of the order and the CEO of the Hospital, I suggested perhaps it might be a good idea just to give workers voice... and they said 'No, our workers can be heard and say anything they want.' Well, I've heard the same thing from many anti-union organizations who have convinced themselves that their workers are ‘free to talk’ when in fact many workers feel intimidated if they don’t have the protection of a union. ...
This is an order of nuns that in the past have taken progressive positions... If an order of nuns — that is progressive — cannot understand the importance of unions, then there's is a huge problem in this country in terms of understanding why unions exist and why its important for, particularly low-wage service, workers to be unionized.
Without a union workers feel powerless... They don't want to say anyting for fear of losing their jobs. This particular employer has already been cited by the National Labor Relations Board for unfair labor practices.
3 comments:
This is great -- what a great new tool for learning about the struggles of these hospital workers. I find it truly shameful that the nuns cant seem to find a way to allow workers at these hospitals to have a fair process for choosing whether they want a union. For a supposedly 'progressive' order of nuns, I hope they are embarrassed by their actions. Robert Reich is a great leader and he should be commended for his efforts to help these workers. I share his belief that without a union workers will never be able to achieve the voice they need in a workplace. There may be moments when enlightened managers give raises or fix problems, but only through a union will workers have the ongoing protection and voice they need. Thanks for putting this up and I look forward to hearing more from the workers about their daily struggles.
When will SJHS wake up and understand that this movement to unionize is a call for an employee voice separate from managements but no less important!
We just want to have a stronger voice to advocate for our patients and ourselves!
Why is that a bad thing, SJHS?
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