This article is reprinted from the Speak Out Now healthcare newsletter at Kaiser and Highland Hospitals in Oakland, CA.
Alameda Health System is still planning to lay off cashiers at Highland and Fairmont, despite a huge showing of support for these workers through a petition that circulated the hospital and received over 3,000 signatures. Management claims that self-checkout kiosks are a way to modernize the hospital, but we know that this is a load of BS.
The new tablets won’t accept cash, which will prevent multiple people from buying food. Plus this technology can be confusing, which will result in many putting food back or simply walking away with it. AHS is also planning to do more subcontracting by supplying more pre-packaged meals, and has already eliminated some grill shifts. Staff and patients deserve fresh, quality meals, not more packaged foods (that are sometimes already going bad)!
In response, staff and community members are planning on demonstrating their support at the next Board of Trustees meeting at Highland. Management has shown they don’t care about patients or workers – so it’ll be up to us to protect our cashiers!
Click here to read the article printed in the 03-12-25 Healthcare Newsletter
