Community Peace Radio Show #51

Date: 31 October 2009

Topic: Hospital Workers' Rights and Unionization

Participants: Chris Chavez (Executive Director, NM AFL-CIO), Fonda Osborn (President, District 1199NM)

Co-Hosts: Pat Leahan, Curtis Sollohub, Arielle Hawney (via phone)

Summary: We give a brief overview of why we have and need unions. We hear about why the Alta Vista Regional Hospital workers voted more than 2 years ago to have a union represent them. We learn that Community Health Systems, Inc. (the private, for-profit corporation that owns our hospital) is violating federal law by refusing to sit down and negotiate with the workers. The National Labor Relations Board, which oversees and rules on disputes between workers and the corporations they work for, has found in favor of the AVRH workers and against CHS, Inc. in every single decision at the local, regional and federal level. The point is made that the community needs to continue to stand in solidarity with our local workers as they struggle for their rights. We're all in this together against a Tennessee-based corporation whose CEO makes $22 million/year.

Resources:
http://www.nmhospitalworkersunion.com/
http://www.zinnedproject.org/

Pat's Extra Notes:
Happy 10th birthday, Broadus!
Daylight savings time ends early tomorrow AM. Turn your clocks back 1 hour.
Today is the last official day for the Tri-County Farmer's Market until next year.
We miss you Steve. We love you.

Thank you, David, for our CPR intro music:
http://www.DavidRovics.com/