SACRAMENTO –Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) today issued the following statement of support to the workers at the Encino-Tarzana Medical Center, who are currently embroiled in a labor dispute with Tenet Healthcare Corporation:

“Just last year, I was called upon by the members of the United Healthcare Workers (UHW) to get involved in a contract dispute with another large for profit hospital company, Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). The workers at West Hills Hospital were fighting for many of the same things that you are trying to achieve here at Encino-Tarzana Medical Center – a ban on subcontracting, a training and upgrading fund, and wage scales that were fair and reward seniority.

“HCA told me, other elected leaders, the community, and the workers, that they would never agree to such demands. They said such demands were too costly. After many long months of struggle, the workers at West Hills settled a contract that met every one of their demands.

“You too can achieve the standards that you are hoping for. Much like HCA, Tenet is a huge for profit hospital chain that can agree to the very reasonable proposals given them. And much like the struggle against HCA, you have community leaders and elected officials on your side.

“You can count on me as a friend and ally in your struggle. I am confident, much like the struggle at HCA in West Hills, we will succeed.”

In August of last year, Assemblymember Levine hosted a public forum to discuss the pressing issues facing the West Hills Hospital. The forum addressed understaffed hospital units, compromised patient care, withheld healthcare worker training, and changes needed to recruit and retain caregivers.