Support for labor unions plummets in California

With heated controversy in recent years surrounding public pensions, municipal bankruptcies and political campaigns, public support for labor unions has plunged in California. For the first time, more voters say these organizations do more harm than good.

A new Field Poll reveals a dramatic 16 percentage point swing in public opinion from two years ago. Forty-five percent of registered voters now believe that unions do more harm than good, compared to 40 percent who say they do more good.

This summer's Bay Area Rapid Transit system drama has also raised the question of whether public transit workers should be allowed to strike. In September, Senate Republican leader Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, introduced a bill to strip them of that right.

Though a slight plurality of Californians - 47 percent - still believe public transit workers should be able to strike, a majority of the usually liberal San Francisco Bay Area - 52 percent - is now opposed.

Reporter David Siders has more in his story. Here are the statistical tabulations prepared exclusively for Capitol Alert.

The next Field Poll covers Californians' views on the U.S. Congress. Our story will be available early, tonight at 8 p.m., on the Capitol Alert Insider Edition app.

via:  http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2013/12/am-alert-support-for-labor-unions-plummets-in-california.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2013/12/am-alert-support-for-labor-unions-plummets-in-california.html#storylink=cpy

Support the Strike!

Unless the Governor and the Department of Corrections take decisive action, prisoners throughout California will resume a hunger strike and work stoppage ONE WEEK FROM TODAY to protest the torturous conditions in solitary confinement--and other parts of the prison system.  

Stand in Solidarity with the Hunger Strike and other Job Actions Being Called for July 8th!

Communities across the state, country, and world plan on taking action to help the strikers win their demands.

Sign up for updates at prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity.wordpress.com.

Wherever you are, please take some form of action on July 8th.  Big or small, every voice counts!

Click here for more: http://prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity.wordpress.com/take-action-2/add-your-event/

And, please support the statewide mobilization to Corcoran State Prison on July, 13!  Details below.

Mobilization to Support the Prisoner Hunger Strikes

Corcoran State Prison

Saturday July 13, 2013

Rides available by bus and carpool. Contact rachel-at-criticalresistance.org or 510-444-0484

Caravans will leave from MacArthur BART in Oakland at 9:00 AM and Chuco’s Justice Center in Inglewood at 9:00AM. We will gather at Cesar Chavez Park in Corcoran (1500 Oregon) at 2PM and then march to Corcoran State Prison  where our demands will be heard!

In 2011, over 12,000 California state prisoners engaged in a hunger strike to end long term solitary confinement and to demand changes to the way that prisoners are assigned to torturous cells, known as the SHU (security housing units). Although the Department of Corrections acknowledged that their demands were reasonable and would be addressed - very little has changed for California prisoners since 2011. California is still spending millions of dollars a year to keep people in solitary confinement for decades!

Statewide Hunger Strikes Resume

On July 8, 2013 California Prisoners will begin an indefinite hunger strike and work strike until meaningful changes are made within the Department of Corrections.

On July 13, 2013 we will rally at Corcoran State Prison to show our support for the prisoners and pressure Jerry Brown to meet their demands! Like Pelican Bay, Corcoran isolates nearly 2,000 people in solitary confinement.

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How You Can Support

We need your support now more than ever! Please consider making a donation to our coalition so that we can continue to fight for the human rights of people in extreme isolation in California prisons.  Funds collected will be used for the July 13th mobilization in addition to other coalition expenses such as monthly mailings to prisoners, legal visits to Pelican Bay and Corcoran and other printing expenses.

Donations can be made online at www.prisons.org; be sure to click the “Special Instructions” link and write “PHSS” to direct your donation to us.  Or you can write a check to California Prison Focus/PHSS and mail it to PHSS 1904 Franklin Street #507, Oakland, CA 94612.  We could also use donations of such as food and water for the July 13 mobilization, as well as vans or buses for the caravan to Corcoran.  Please contact Rachel Herzing, rachel-at-criticalresistance.org or call 510-444-0484 if you would like to offer assistance in these areas.

Nearly 13,000 University Of California Healthcare Workers Threaten Strike

By Kenny Goldberg

CALIFORNIA — Nearly 13,000 healthcare workers at University of California medical centers are threatening to go on a two-day strike next week. Workers and the UC system are at loggerheads over a new contract. The previous one expired last year.

AFSCME, the union representing healthcare workers, says UC refuses to ensure adequate staffing at its five medical centers. Union rep Todd Stenhouse said that's creating unsafe working conditions.

"Oftentimes now we're asking fewer staff to do more with less. On a balance sheet, that may look great. If it's your relative or your loved one that's in that hospital, it doesn't look so good," Stenhouse said.

Stenhouse added the union also wants management to stop contracting out healthcare jobs to temps and volunteers.

UC spokeswoman Dianne Klein said the union doesn't want to talk about the real sticking point.

"The issue is pension reform and what the union has been doing is using the issue of patient safety to scare people," Klein said.

Klein argued the union refuses to deal with the fact that UC has $24 billion in unfunded pension liability.

Stenhouse said the union would be happy to deal with pension reform, but said management isn't playing fair.

"What UC's insisting on, is that its executives take on these huge, huge golden handshakes at the expense of front line care and their lowest-paid workers," Stenhouse said.

UC is attempting to get an injunction to block the strike from taking place next week.

Among those threatening to walk off the job are respiratory therapists, nursing aids and surgical technicians.

Via KPBS