Beginning Wednesday, June 3, Bay Area workers will participate in a two-day fast in front of Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s office in San Francisco to implore the Senator to vote in support of legislation that would restore workers’ freedom to form and join unions. Participants will begin a fast at 10 a.m. Wednesday and will conclude the fast Thursday evening.
Allen Newland, a Securitas security officer at Kaiser Permanente’s South Sacramento facility, will participate in the fast on behalf of his 1,500 coworkers around the state, who have been fighting for union representation for nearly four years. During their effort to form a union, Newland and his coworkers were intimidated and harassed by managers for their union activity. Thus, Newland will urge Sen. Feinstein to supporting the Employee Free Choice Act, which would give workers a real choice to form a union and bargain collectively, free of harassment and intimidation; increase penalties on companies that violate the law; and provide a timely process for a first contract.
Newland is fasting leading up to a bargaining session with Kaiser’s contractor Securitas, where he and his coworkers hope to negotiate to restore their access to affordable healthcare. Securitas recently made deep cuts to the officers’ media plans, which have put routine doctors visits, prescription medicines, and other preventative care and lifesaving treatment out of reach for many low-income security officers.
WHO: Bay Area workers including Allen Newland, a security officer at Kaiser Permanente
WHAT: Two-day fast in support of Employee Free Choice Act
WHERE: Office of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, One Post Street, San Francisco
VISUALS: Workers fasting, candlelight vigil, workers camping out
MEDIA AVAILS:
June 3
Noon – Kick-off of fast labor and community leaders
4:30 p.m. – Workers rallying in support of those fasting
9:30 - 11 p.m. – Candlelight vigil
June 4
4-7 a.m. – Fast continues, workers camping out
Noon – Elected officials, a delegation of bishops and others to show support for fasters
6 p.m. – Prayer circle, ending of fast