Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital has issued a warning to the nearly 300 health care and support workers, who have been on strike since last week, to return to work by the end of the month or face losing health care benefits.
The American Federation of State County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 829 union members received the official notice on Friday. In the letter, Dignity Health warned the workers that eligibility for health care benefits “requires a scheduling commitment of 40 hours of work per biweekly pay period.” Those participating in the strike, the letter continued, were no longer eligible for benefits and, unless they returned by the end of the month, would lose health care coverage effective Aug. 1.
The letter comes one week after hundreds of striking hospital employees took to the picket line following months of failed negotiations. The health care and support workers have been on strike since Monday, July 18.
On Monday, more than 70 union members and supporters returned for a second rally, this time with the knowledge that their benefits were at stake.
At noon, they met outside the hospital and gathered around two tables: Five union representatives took a seat at one; at the other were six name cards and empty chairs, symbolizing members of the hospital’s management and negotiating team. In a direct reference to Bill Graham, president of Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital, several workers held signs spelling out: “Where is Bill?”
