CHW Statement Updating the SEIU, Local 250 Strike.

Business Editors

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 3, 2000

The following is a statement by Robert Polzoni, vice president of marketing and communications for CHW Bay Area Region, regarding the Local 250 strike:

"Hospital operations went smoothly at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, St. Mary's Medical Center and Seton Medical Center on the first day of a two-day strike by employees represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 250. We expect that to continue through today.

"Our physicians, registered professional nurses, and administrative and support staff continue to provide in-patients at our hospitals high quality care. Our Emergency Departments remain open and we will continue to see all that need care. We have cancelled some elective procedures and non-essential services for these two days.

"Only a handful of picketers remained at our hospitals through the night and dozens of our employees represented by Local 250 crossed picket lines to come to work.

"Saint Francis Memorial Hospital called police yesterday due to the excessively loud and disruptive behavior of picketers outside of the hospital, using bull horns, drums and whistles. Saint Francis received complaints from patients in the intensive care unit and from neighbors surrounding the hospital. Some patients had to be moved.

"It is our hope that, following this strike, the leadership of Local 250 and their supporters will cease their political campaign of misinformation against our hospitals and return to the bargaining table so we can reach agreement on a fair and equitable contract for our employees.

"In the absence of anything new to report, no one from our facilities will be available today for interviews."