Media Advisory for Thurs., Apr. 8, 2021 — Watts Health Center Workers Launch Informational Picket Line, With Strike Looming

Essential Healthcare Workers to Be Joined by Clergy, Patients, Elected Officials as They Gear Up for April 14th ULP Strike for Patient Safety

LOS ANGELES — Essential healthcare workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic among some of South LA’s most vulnerable populations will be conducting an informational picket in the runup to their planned Unfair Labor Practice Strike on April 14th, 2021.

Their escalation comes after months of alleged labor law violations by Watts Health Center management, including threats to employees, surveillance of union activity, and denying union staff access to frontline workers.

Watts Health Center workers have been key to pandemic response and were among the first to provide COVID-19 testing to vulnerable patients South LA. Over the past year there have been multiple outbreaks of novel coronavirus among Watts staff, but despite workers literally putting their lives on the line to provide vital care, it took four months at the bargaining table for Watts Health Center management to withdraw its proposal to cut employee sick time. To date, Watts management has continued to refuse to address rampant understaffing issues that threaten patient safety.

Helping to spread the message on Thursday will be clergy and other members of the community who are standing in support of these dedicated frontline workers.

WHO:              Watts Health Center workers, patients, community leaders, and clergy.

WHAT:            Watts Health Center workers to hold informational picket line.

WHEN:            Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 5:15pm

WHERE:         10300 Compton Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90002

VISUALS:       Workers, patient advocates on picket lines holding pro-union signs and banners. Chalk art with pro-union and pro-community messages.

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CONTACT: Roxane Marquez (213) 705-1078

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