Workers at San Diego's Children's Hospital Take Legal Action
Denouncing Labor Violations
Notice to CA Dept. of Labor Standards Enforcement Seeks Remedy for
Workers Forced to Work Through Meal and Rest Periods; Workers Say This
Unlawful Practice Is Compromising Quality of Care SAN DIEGO -
PRNewswire - March 8

SAN DIEGO, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthcare workers at San Diego's
Children Hospital and Health Center (CHHC) today filed documents
notifying the California Department of Labor Standards Enforcement of
the hospital's failure to provide many employees with meal and rest
periods as required by law. Workers say these unlawful conditions are
jeopardizing patient care services.

Molly Thalheimer, a Business Associate responsible for transcribing
doctors' patient care orders, says a shortage of staff is often the
reason some employees work long shifts without relief. "In my
department we are understaffed by at least two employees ... It is up
to us to find coverage for lunches, breaks or when someone is out sick
... Management just says, 'do the best you can.' We are often rushing
from patient to patient and we get backlogged. I'm concerned that some
patients' orders don't get done in a timely manner."

Workers at CHHC represented by the Service Employees International
Union (SEIU) have been attempting to address these concerns through
contract negotiations since September of last year. However, talks
have stalled on key issues including the creation of a Patient Care
Committee that would give caregivers a voice on staffing, workload and
other issues affecting patient care and services.

Contact:

Blanca Gallegos 323-201-2225
SEIU

Web site: http://www.seiu-uhw.org/


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