This community opinion was contributed by George Fendler. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. Lea este artículo en español aquí.
¡¡¡Transparency!!!
I hate government run by secret meetings!
Wow! I sat through the SBHCD monthly regular meeting last Thursday (March 27th). I, and others made a few comments. It was a relatively calm meeting considering what is at stake.
Then we came to agenda item 8 Closed Session. There were three items listed on the closed session agenda related to “Conference with legal counsel—existing litigation”.
Appeal from Bankruptcy Court Case.
NUHW Unfair Practice Charge.
CNA Unfair Practice Labor Charge.
In every court case there are two sides. In a bankruptcy case the sides are the entity requesting financial protection from creditors (in this case the SBHCD) and the actual creditors. It is public knowledge that the District is the one seeking protection and the primary creditors would be the The National Union of Healthcare Workers and California Nurses Association. Both of these organizations (NUHW and CNA) have legitimately negotiated contracts with the district. These contracts spell out the terms of the employment for the workers in our healthcare district. They don’t specifically discuss individual employee personal information. Why does this need to be in a closed session meeting?
I understand confidentiality is required when discussing sensitive information. This discussion should be a public discussion.
I didn’t look at my watch when the closed session began but I think it must have been about 6:30 or 6:45. The residents in attendance mostly left. A few of us waited in the hallway but most left when it looked like it might take a while. I really wanted to hear item 9 (Closed Session Report). I was the last to leave at a little after 8:00.
I sent Director Angelo (my district rep.) an email asking what happened. I got no response. I worry that the board decided to spend thousands of dollars pursuing a fourth bankruptcy attempt.
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