Dave Regan’s
Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions
(“the Coalition”) just got smaller.
Last week, UNITE HERE Local 5 -- which represents
2,000 Kaiser workers in Hawaii -- announced its decision to leave the Coalition
and join the Alliance of Health Care
Unions (“the Alliance”).
Formed in
March 2018, the Alliance is a rival group of “partnership” unions that
bolted the Coalition following Regan’s attempt to seize greater control
over unions’ decision-making process.
In a June 18th
announcement
on its website, the Alliance describes the development this way:
On Wednesday, June 13, the Alliance Steering Committee accepted UNITE HERE Local 5 as our newest member. Alliance Chair Kathleen Theobald hailed the move, saying “The union makes us strong – and the more unions in our Alliance, the stronger we are. Local 5 is a powerful, committed local union with experienced leadership, and we’re very happy to welcome them!” Local 5 represents approximately 2,000 KP workers in Hawaii.
“With our contract expiring in a few months, UNITE HERE Local 5 has joined the other Kaiser unions with 2018 expiration dates in bargaining,” said Secretary-Treasurer Eric Gill. “Together, we will achieve a contract settlement that meets our economic needs, builds greater solidarity among our allied unions and holds Kaiser management responsible to the highest degree of partnership with unionized Kaiser workers. We appreciate the Alliance’s prompt acceptance of our union’s participation.”
In a
post on its own website, UNITE HERE Local 5 told its members:
Aloha Kaiser Brothers and Sisters,
UNITE HERE! Local 5 was accepted into the Alliance of Health Care Unions yesterday… As a member of the Alliance, we will join 45,000 Kaiser workers from 21 other locals in attaining a National Agreement. That process has already begun. Local bargaining will also commence in the coming weeks. Please stay involved and committed to getting a good contract that benefits all.
Local 5’s departure
represents a blow to the Coalition and SEIU-UHW's Dave Regan. Local 5’s President, Eric Gill, held the second highest position on the Coalition’s
Board of Directors. Gill was the “Vice Chair” while Regan serves as the “Chair.”
The move
leaves the Coalition with 11 local unions from three international unions (SEIU,
the Office and Professional Employees International Union, and the
International Federation of Professional and Technical Employees).
Meanwhile,
the Alliance has 22 local unions from nine international unions (Teamsters,
Steelworkers, AFSCME, American Federation of Teachers, UFCW, ILWU, Operating
Engineers, UNITE HERE and the KPNAA).
Will the
Coalition keep on shrinking?
Definitely possible,
say sources.
Tasty hears that
OPEIU Local 30 is weighing a switch
to the Alliance. Such a move would be especially embarrassing for Regan since Local
30’s Executive Director Walter Allen
currently serves as the Coalition’s “Interim Executive Director” following the
departure of Hal Ruddick.
UNITE HERE’s
exit follows the departure of a number of the Coalition’s longtime staff, some
of whom quit
in order to join the Alliance. Tasty hears these defections are continuing.
