Northwest labor press., April 06, 2007, Page 12, Image 12

Nearly 1,000 turn out for Providence Hospital union vigil
Close to 1,000 people took part in a March 21 “candle-
light vigil for justice” outside Providence Hospital in North-
east Portland. For two years, Service Employees Interna-
tional Union Local 49 has been trying to unionize about
6,000 employees at several Providence locations in the Port-
land area, but has faced opposition from hospital manage-
ment. Providence Health & Services, with 27 hospitals in
five states, does recognize unions for some workers at some
locations, but also has a history of energetically opposing
union drives.
The vigil was called to put public pressure on Providence
to agree to a set of union campaign ground rules that have the
endorsement of Oregon’s highest elections official, Secre-
tary of State Bill Bradbury. Bradbury (pictured at left in the
cart) was one of a handful of elected leaders who attended
the vigil. Also there in support were Rep. Jeff Merkely
(walking next to Bradbury), speaker of the Oregon House,
and Rep. Tina Kotek, who chairs the House Health Care
Committee.
“No one has ever challenged Providence in this way,” said
Local 49 spokesperson Jeremy Wright.
Wright said Providence stepped up a public relations
counter-offensive in the weeks prior to the vigil, sending
e-mails to employees, and even handing out fliers to parents
at a Providence-run day care center. The message, which also
was repeated in an ad in the Catholic Sentinel newspaper,
was meant to warn people against things they might hear
from SEIU. Providence Health & Services is owned by the
Sisters of Providence, a Catholic religious order.
Nearly a dozen religious leaders also participated in the
vigil.
Swanson, Thomas &Coon
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Since 1981
James Coon
Jacqueline Jacobson
T HE M ARCO C ONSULTING G ROUP
Ray Thomas
Kimberly Tucker
Margaret Weddell
Cynthia F. Newton
Tip of the week: If you are injured on the job, your
average weekly wage should include overtime
you have worked.
T HE M ARCO
C ONSULTING
G ROUP
We represent people on all types of injury and disease related claims.
n Workers’ Compensation
INVESTMENT CONSULTANTS TO
n Personal Injury/Product Liability
MULTI - EMPLOYER BENEFIT FUNDS
P LEASE CALL J ASON Z ENK IN T ACOMA , WA AT (253) 759-6768
W EST C OAST O FFICE
M IDWEST O FFICE
E AST C OAST O FFICE
2912 N ORTH 26 TH S TREET
T ACOMA , WA 98407
P: 253-759-6768
F: 312-575-9840
550 W EST W ASHINGTON B LVD .
N INTH F LOOR
C HICAGO , IL 60661
P: 312 575-9000
F: 312 575-9840
1220 A DAMS S TREET
F IRST F LOOR
B OSTON , MA 02124
P: 617 298-0967
F: 617 298-0966
PAGE 12
n Construction Injuries
n Death Claims
n Asbestos/Mesothelioma
n Social Security Disability
We provide straight answers at no cost on any of the above areas of law.
CALL US or VISIT OUR WEB SITE
( 503) 228-5222
NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
http://www.stc-law.com
APRIL 6, 2007