Last fall, when health care workers at Local 7600 in Southern California were facing a potential strike, Chevron workers at Local 12-5 joined the group in a massive rally and march in Pasadena.
The solidarity helped the 7,400 members keep momentum, prevent a potentially historic work stoppage, and obtain a much-improved collective bargaining agreement only weeks later.
These essential workers paid it forward last week while at the Alliance of Health Care Unions Leadership Conference.
Several members of Local 7600 were in attendance and joined the Chevron refinery workers in a rally on May 4 in Beverly Hills as they entered their sixth week of a strike.
“These members had our backs when we needed it, and it was our turn to show up for them,” said District 12 Health Care Workers Council Coordinator Melissa Borgia. “This is what it means to be in solidarity with each other and how we show the community our power.”
The group was also joined by the area Central Labor Council (CLC) and the Los Angeles chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA).
About 500 members of Local 12-5 have been on strike against Chevron's unfair labor practices since March 21. They work at the company’s refinery in Richmond, Calif.