Wednesday - Quick Hits

Social Justice groups to march on May Day for immigration reform. UT

Political opportunist council member Kevin Faulconer leads group in protest to proposed garage at Lindbergh Field. UT

The GJ's investigation in Sunroad controversy recommends better land use policy and employee training for city. UT

As drug gang war continues in Tijuana, Mexican officials vow combat the violence. UT

In Riverside County foreclosures during Q1 tripled from the number same period last year. UT

Scripps Encinitas is trying to break the nurses union. NCTimes

Friday - Quick Hits

Tri-city Hospital workers agree to unionize. NCTimes

I wonder if Carl DeMaio with be attending? Sanders praised as he give opening remarks at national Log Cabin Republicans meeting here in San Diego. UT

Will council vote to cut off legal fees for ex-city officials? UT

Coastal Commission gave approval for redevelopment of Imperial Beach hotel. UT

State commission approves spending $400 million on transit project in the Otay/ San Ysidro border crossing region. UT

Toll road agency mislead Feds regarding Army Corps of Engineers support of project. UT

500 Workers at Tri-City Medical Center Unionize

From the North County Times:

More than 500 workers ---- mostly medical technicians ---- at Tri-City Medical Center have joined the United Healthcare Workers union, increasing the percentage of the hospital's work force exercising its collective bargaining rights.

Doreen Sanderson, the hospital's vice president of human resources, confirmed that 60 percent, or about 300, of the 500 workers signed union cards, surpassing the 50 percent threshold needed to join the union. She said the hospital will meet with union representatives to begin a discussion on wages and benefits for the represented employees.

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Monday - Quick Hits

For the first time in 60 years, and after spending $442 million North County residents will be able to travel between Oceanside and Escondido by rail. UT

Cal Fire continues to draw critcism for it fire policies. UT

Seeking mortgage relief may not be as easy, as homeowners try to find help with their mortgages. UT

As February 5th primary draws near, battle over the ability to organize workers comes to the forefront. UT

Rancho Santa Fe considering incorporation. NCTimes

When Talking-the-Talk is not enough

Most people are familiar with the ongoing struggle among the employees at Children’s Hospital to form a union. I wanted to share this article from last week’s OC Weekly about the efforts of health-care workers trying to form a union at the Sisters of St. Joseph hospital in Orange. What I found intriguing was that Sisters of Joseph have a long Social Justice tradition:

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange trace their roots back to 17th-century France; the order is well-known for a solid record of commitment to the poor. They’ve marched with Cesar Chavez and supported janitors’ and garment workers’ union-organization efforts. They opened their first hospital in Eureka in 1920 after the big flu epidemic of 1918, giving birth to a health-care system that is now 14 hospitals strong and served just more than 2 million patients last year.

According to the article, “[t]he St. Joseph Health System says it endorses its employees’ rights to unionize,” however, it has poor track record on allowing its own employees to actually unionize. The entire article is very interesting read on the difficulties faced by workers when they try to organize, even if they work for an organization that has a history of Social Justice.