Scores Rally at Scotts Valley Recovery Facility
Apr 23, 2009, by | Read more: News
Allegations of union-busting at The Camp
“When I say ‘union,’ you say ‘power,’” Santa Cruz councilmember Tony Madrigal hollered to a crowd of protesters at SEIU Local 521’s Thursday rally in front of The Camp recovery center in Scotts Valley. About 100 union members, union supporters and Camp employees gathered in front of the private alcohol and drug treatment center to raise visibility for unionization efforts there.
Multiple former and current employees have come forward with accusations of poor working conditions, anti-union efforts on the part of management and a high number of dismissals and resignations from employees who supported the union.
Kevin Weatherwax, a clinical technician supervisor at The Camp, says that over the past couple years he’s seen the number of case workers cut in half, while the number of adolescent clients has increased.
“What used to be a job for five (case managers) is now for two,” Weatherwax says.
The well-spoken and tattooed Weatherwax says that the quality of care at the recovery center has deteriorated since he received treatment as a resident in 2001, when he was 16. With 23 teenage addicts in residence and only two staff to supervise, lead groups and provide therapy, “It’s a struggle to meet the level of care needs the kids need,” Weatherwax says.
Union representatives are in the process of negotiating the first contract between the workers and management. In addition to more staff and better pay, Nick Steinmeier, internal organizing director for Local 521, says that union representatives are requesting the establishment of a labor management committee, where the hourly employees who work directly with clients will be able to speak with management about methods of providing treatment.
Other speakers used the rally to encourage folks to vocalize support around the Employee Free Choice Act, which would simplify unionization efforts for workers and provide higher penalties against employers who violate labor laws during organizing campaigns and first contract negotiations. - Molly Zapp
