Thank you, Bob Fitch, for an excellent summary of the current situation of Sunshine Villa workers in Santa Cruz.

Workers that I talked with described an environment that is consistantly short staffed. On a recent shift, one worker was assigned to twelve Alzheimer's patients!

According to Arcelia Montoya of the local SEIU 415, workers have also been forced to speak only English at all times, even when patient safety may be compromised as a result. For example, when one worker was trying to clarify a medication order to another staffmember in Spanish for the sake of clarity, she was reprimanded and forced to sign a discipline notice. Clearly, this is a bigoted policy.

Despite the poor working conditions at Sunshine Villa, the workers expressed concern for the residents they assist. If the out-of-town owners of Sunshine Villa are smart, they'll get to the bargaining table soon. These workers are good at what they do and judging by their brave showing at Tuesday's rally amid blustery rains, they are united and resolute. Not only that, they are supported by a broad coaltion of community members, many of whom also attended the rally in support.

Pictures:

1. Workers stand in solidarity, braving the cold rain side-by-side.

2. Santa Cruz City Councilmember Tim Fitzmaurice spends his lunch hour supporting Sunshine Villa workers.

3. Local SEIU 415 organizer Joe Keffer encourages the crowd, relying on his wit, since all of his handwriiten notes were lost to the heavy rain.

4. "Where's The Sunshine?" Indeed.