Community leaders supported animal care workers on April 12. Workers at VCA/SFVS recently joined the ILWU. The company refuses to meet more than once a month for first contract talks.
A large group of clients, community leaders, pet owners and union members came out on April 12 to show their support for a successful organizing effort by nearly 100 workers at the Bay Area’s largest animal hospital.
The event took place on the sidewalk in front of the San Francisco Veterinary Specialists (SFVS), the Mission District animal care facility that provides critical services such as cardiology and chemotherapy for Bay Area pets. Workers at SFVS voted nearly 3 to 1 in April to form a union and join the ILWU. In the weeks leading up to the vote, workers had to endure an anti-union campaign orchestrated by management that continues to this day as negotiations for a first contract are underway to secure better pay, real benefits, improved training and better retention.
“Improving conditions here will have a direct impact on the animals we care for and people who love them,” said Brianna-Lynn De Libertis, an experienced Medical Liaison at the facility who also serves on her new union’s Community Action Team. “The turnout and diversity of support we saw on July 12 was inspiring,” she said, citing the participation of so many different community leaders, including two who had a special impact.
The first was Sandra Mack, a SFVS client who brought along her dog – and a pile of pet bills from SFVS. Mack had heard about vet workers organizing at SFVS from her colleagues at the California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) where she is President of the group’s Education Fund. The statewide network represents thousands of senior activists in California, including many in the Bay Area. Mack spoke confidently and was unwavering in support for the SFVS employees, their desire to improve care for animals and improve the value to pet owners who pay the bills.
San Francisco Supervisor Hillary Ronen also attended as the elected representative for the Mission District where SFVS is located. Ronen is a dynamic political leader who is in the neighborhood, Bay Area and larger political world. Ronen arrived at the event carrying a letter that she wanted to personally deliver to VCA/Mars management. She said the letter called on the corporation to start respecting worker efforts to improve conditions – and cooperate with the new union. She also said Mars/VCA should stop stalling and start negotiating seriously – noting they had only agreed to one negotiating session per month in an effort to frustrate workers. She concluded her talk by asking a group of employees to accompany her as she entered the building to personally deliver the letter to management.
A variety of union members attended, including members of ILWU Local 6 and 10, the Indlandboatmen’s Union, plus Rudy Gonzalez, Executive Director of San Francisco’s Labor Council, the body representing 150 different unions with 100,000 members who work in the City.
Another special guest who received a round of applause for attending was Fred Pecker, longtime former Secretary-Treasurer of Local 6 who is undergoing chemotherapy. His attendance on July 12 was warmly received because he has participated in so many worker organizing efforts over many decades.
“I’m glad to be able to make it down to the event,” he said. “The energy and determination of these young people is inspiring and gives me hope for the future and our movement for social justice.”