Today marks the ballot count for elections held among three Southern California Kaiser chapters representing 2,300  healthcare workers.

The the three chapters are:

-Kaiser Sunset/LAMC RNs

-Southern California Kaiser Psychsocial Professionals

-Southern California Kaiser Healthcare Professionals

The counting should get underway soon, so here we go!

All parties have arrived at the Los Angeles Headquarters of the NLRB at 888 Figueroa Street and NUHW is represented with a strong showing of supporters who’ve gathered in anticipation of the ballot count.

We’ll have more updates as I get them.  In the meantime, if you haven’t read Randy Shaw’s excellent article on this election, you should.

And of course, visit NUHW Solidarity on Facebook to catch the latest from NUHW activists.

Updated 9:30am: The ballots are being separated into three separate counts in three separate conference rooms at the NLRB.  That means the count process will  happen simultaneously for all three chapters. Things should get going soon.

Update 9:45am:  The box containing RN ballots being opened now.  It was signed by dozens of nurses when it was sealed on Jan. 7th.

Update 10:00am:  The Healthcare Professionals ballot count room is now beginning process as well.

Update 10:15am: Word is: all three ballot counts are close to being underway.  NUHW supporters awaiting word are hopeful and quiet.

Update 10:30am:  RN counting underway!

Update 10:40am:  Lots of people wearing RED and NUHW buttons at the NLRB today.  One person on the ground reports: “What’s amazing about the crowd is there are NUHW activists from every corner of Southern California, Kaiser and Non-Kaiser alike.”

Update 10:50am: The Healthcare Professionals ballot count is now underway. The RN ballot count is in full swing as well.

Update 11:00am:  Healthcare Professionals still counting. RN counting is well along.

Update 11:15am:Official report from RN ballot count: Kaiser Sunset RNs vote to join NUHW!  Final Count: 746 NUHW, 36 SEIU 3 Neither

Update 11:20am:  Kaiser Sunset/LAMC RNs vote to join NUHW!!!

Update 11:30 am: FINAL Healthcare Professionals ballot count 189 NUHW, 29 SEIU, 13 Neither.

Update 11:35am: Kaiser SoCal Healthcare Professionals vote to join NUHW!!  

Report from the ground is that workers supporting NUHW are happy and celebrating.

Update 12:00 Noon:  Kaiser Psychsocial Professionals ballot count is underway. No word yet on when we will hear the final result.

Update 12:30pm: while we are waiting, and it could be several hours (but maybe not), for the Psychsocial results here’s a link to an article on this election from In These Times.

Update 1pm: Word is that the intitial process is complete and they may begin counting Kaiser Psychsocial chapter ballots soon. It is the largest chapter of the three, with 1058 members who work at 89 different facilities and clinics across Southern California. We will keep you up to date.

Update 2:30pm: Labor Notes covers NUHW victories.  And we’re still waiting on news from the Psychsocial Chapter ballot count.

Update 2:45pm:  And…the Pyschsocial Chapter ballot count is beginning.

Update 3:15: Hundreds of ballots in the 1050 member unit have been counted. We’re getting close here.  Remember, SEIU conceded defeat in all three elections before the first ballot was counted for this chapter.

Update 3:45 PM: NUHW is buzzing with excitement in expectation of three decisive victories.  Here in the North the office is beginning to stream with visitors.

Update 4:00 PM: It’s OFFICIAL.  NUHW Wins: SoCal Kaiser Psychsocial chapter joins NUHW!

Final count: 717 NUHW, 192 SEIU, 7 Neither

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{Paul Delehanty works for NUHW, a vibrant & democratic movement of healthcare workers, dedicated to dignity, justice, and healthcare for all. Follow us on Twitter and join us at Facebook.}