Labor Troubles. (Health Care).

Efforts to save WATTSHealth Foundation Inc., which was seized by the state last year, are angering remaining workers at. the Inglewood-based health foundation.

Workers there went on strike for two days last week, complaining that a new contract they were offered by a state-appointed conservator amounted to nothing more than takeaways.

"It's really bad," said Deborah Young, 45, a health educator. "We are overworked, and we are not getting a lot of support."

The foundation, both a managed care plan largely for Medi-Cal patients and a string of community health clinics, was seized after its health plan fell behind on a growing number of claims payments.

Since then, the conservator has worked to separate the two distinct businesses, and in the process has scaled back the clinic operation. Workers who are represented by the Service Employees International Union say only about half of the foundation's 500 workers remain.

Last week's strike was prompted by a contract offer the union claims would freeze pay while increasing insurance costs.

The employees have been working under a contract that expired Oct. 31 but that both sides agreed to extend while a plan was worked out to save the foundation.

Conservator Frank Stevens did not return calls for comment.

Staff reporter Laurence Darmiento can be reached at [phone] ext. 237, or at [e-mail].