------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the May 3, 2001 issue of Workers World newspaper ------------------------- WHATEVER IT TAKES, AS LONG AS IT TAKES By Derrick Duncan & Anne Pruden 1199 Service Employee delegates New York Some 2,000 health-care workers chanted, "Ain't no stopping us now!" as they marched and protested in Bronxville, N.Y., on April 20. Called by Lawrence Hospital workers and the 1199 Service Employees union from New York, the protest was an angry response to hospital management. Not only has it recently taken some sick time away, but many workers are paid only $7 an hour. As a result, most of the more oppressed workers had recently signed up to join the union. Suddenly the Lawrence bosses brought a Kentucky-based union-busting firm on the scene. Workers were coerced, intimidated, lied to and threatened to stop them from voting in the union. Anti-union thugs interrupted workers on the job and at their homes. As a result, the vote on March 29 was 129 to 119 against union representation. The April 20 protesters wore lab coats with "JUSTICE" written on the back. They carried placards reading "Whatever It Takes, As Long As It Takes." These workers don't forget their union's history. In 1965, a 55-day strike by mostly Black and Latino hospital workers sought union recognition for Local ll99. Famous labor and civil-rights leaders like A. Phillip Randolph led thousands of demonstrators in that struggle. Actor-activist Ossie Davis was arrested on a charge of civil disobedience. The 1965 struggle in Bronxville helped push the law recognizing the right of workers in all nonprofit hospitals to join unions. The Lawrence Hospital workers' committee, with union officials and Ossie Davis, led the spirited march April 20 in Bronxville. Speakers included Jay Adams. A hospital phlebotomist for 17 years, Adams insisted, "We have unfinished business, because our basic rights were denied in our work place." State union leaders spoke in solidarity. They said the labor movement would not tolerate what happened at Lawrence Hospital. The National Labor Relations Board is to consider a new election. There was a loud response when 1199 Service Employees President Dennis Rivera said this organizing drive was not only a labor struggle but also a civil-rights struggle. Rivera also quoted the famous Jamaican political singer/activist Bob Marley: "You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all the people all the time. ...Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights!" The rally ended with a militant cry by the health-care workers: "We'll be back!" - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For subscription info send message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://www.workers.org) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
