Stanford Health Care Draws Labor Dispute

Stanford Health Care Low Wage Policies for Contractors at Odds With Emeryville Values 

Stanford Health Care, a large out patient health services clinic on Hollis Street that opened up just last year to great City Hall generated fanfare is in the midsts of a labor dispute with a local union for hiring contractors that don't pay prevailing wages and/or provide sub-standard benefits.  The primary union in the dispute, Carpenters local 713 says they set up a protest on Hollis Street because Stanford Valley Care, a Stanford Health Care affiliate is not operating in good faith and is undermining community values by "denying its workers area standard wages and benefits."  Other Bay Area Stanford Health Care centers have been the site of similar protests.

The sting of a labor dispute is perhaps a bit more painful in Emeryville.  The town has distinguished itself by seeing to it workers here are paid a living wage, our Minimum Wage Ordinance famously is among the most progressive in the nation.

Just a few years ago with hopes brimming for a respected community health facility to be realized for our town, Stanford hosted a gala ribbon cutting ceremony, attended by local dignitaries as work was begun building the Hollis Street clinic site. The full City Council was in attendance along with the CEO David Entwistle as the politicians took to the mic, pouring on the bombast about how Emeryville's newest corporate partner will be an asset to the community, "Stanford has worked at integrating into our community" gushed then Mayor Scott Donahue, large scissors proudly at the ready.

That was then...now Stanford has been revealed to be just another corporate entity that does not honor labor.  Overheated politician talk of 'community asset' and 'integrating into our community' now serves as a reminder that building community is a unglamorous and ongoing process, best when it's free from glad handing and self congratulating politicians.