[Nov. 7, 2016] POMONA, Calif. – Pressure continues to mount on Pomona Valley Hospital to recognize workers’ vote to improve patient care by joining a union, as California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom urged the hospital to stop its delay tactics and begin working with 1,100 employees to improve care and negotiating a contract.

“In my experience, front-line healthcare providers are patients’ greatest advocates and giving them a voice in hospital decisions is not only fair to your employees – it’s simply in the best interest of the community,” said Newsom in a letter sent to Pomona Valley Hospital CEO Richard Yochum. “It’s time to stop fighting and start building a common future with Pomona Valley’s healthcare staff.”

Newsom joins 10 other elected leaders who urged the CEO to stop stalling: California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, California State Treasurer John Chiang, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, U.S. Rep. Norma Torres (D-Pomona), State Sens. Ed Hernandez (D-Azusa) and Connie Leyva (D-Chino), Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona), and Pomona City Councilmembers John Nolte, Debra Martin and Christina Carrizosa.

More than 700 workers and allies rallied at the hospital Oct. 19 to urge Yochum to recognize workers’ vote. Prominent elected officials condemned his actions and put their full support behind the hospital’s caregivers.

A majority of Pomona Valley Hospital workers voted Jan. 22, 2016 to join SEIU-UHW but the hospital challenged the eligibility of some workers to vote in the election. The local office of the National Labor Relations Board dismissed the employer’s challenge, confirming that a majority of workers voted for SEIU-UHW. But Yochum refused to accept the ruling, and Pomona Valley Hospital is now challenging that decision to the Washington, D.C. office of the labor board.

The Pomona Valley Hospital employees affected include licensed vocational nurses, pharmacy technicians, phlebotomists, physical therapy aides, radiology technologists, surgery technicians, Ultrasound technologists, radiology support staff, admitting representatives, cooks and food service workers, customer care representatives, janitors and receptionists and secretaries.