The fight for the rights of unionized workers in Wisconsin–nurses, teachers, and other hardworking caregivers–has captivated the country.  Many United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) members have asked how the situation in the Midwest affects health care professionals in Southern California.  It means everything.

On Wednesday, February 23, a delegation of UNAC/UHCP members and staff including State Secretary Barbara Blake flew to Madison, Wisconsin to support thousands of union members who are under attack by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.  Walker has signed a bill that eliminates collective bargaining rights as we know it for most public employees, and only allows public employees to bargain over wages.

This is a time when we have to fight back! When the collective bargaining rights for unionized employees are attacked anywhere, it is an attack on all of us.  Collective bargaining is the very foundation of the Labor Movement.  If we couldn’t form unions and negotiate with our employers, we wouldn’t have a say in our wages, hours and working conditions.

Governor Walker’s attack was clearly part of a united effort to destroy the entire Labor Movement.  At least eight states other than Wisconsin are considering proposals similar to Walker’s–Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Nebraska, and Tennessee.  And there is no indication that the attack will limit itself to public employee unions. Make no mistake–we could be next on the chopping block!

What would the elimination of collective bargaining rights mean for health care professionals?  We would no longer have the right to advocate for quality patient care or workplace safety, scheduling, seniority, health benefits and pension at the bargaining table.  Standing up for our colleagues in Wisconsin is the first step in protecting what we’ve fought for in our own worlds.

On Tuesday, February 22, UNAC/UHCP members Larry Winkler, SPNN Treasurer, Deborah Saia, SPNN Vice President, and Tamara Yildiz, Kaiser Fontana Contract Specialist, traveled to Sacramento with political representative Eric Robles for the “WE ARE ONE” California action candlelight vigil in solidarity with the Wisconsin workers.  The nurses visited several elected officials during the trip to Sacramento, including State Senator Juan Vargas and Assemblyman Marty Block of San Diego and Assemblyman Roger Hernandez of West Covina.  On Thursday, February 24, several UNAC/UHCP members took part in the Orange County Labor Federation’s candlelight vigil in support of the Wisconsin workers at the Santa Ana State Office Building.  It is during times of crisis like Wisconsin that we must remain committed to reaching out to elected officials and participating in the larger labor community by traveling to Madison and Sacramento or going to rallies in our own communities.