Measure A Passed!

SEIU 521 Members Help Pass Measure A

Santa Clara County voters overwhelmingly said "YES" to earthquake safety for Valley Medical Center, passing Measure A with a solid 77.9 percent this November Election.

The measure's victory couldn't have been achieved without SEIU Local 521's support. In addition to staging a press conference and rally championing the measure, we walked precincts, called voters and this week, all our hard work paid off big time: we helped pass the $840 million bond measure to fund seismic upgrades for critical hospital units at VMC, as required by state law.

Chris wilder, Measure A Chairperson, said this post-election: "To the members of SEIU 521: THANK YOU for saving Valley Medical Center! Thank you for every flyer you left on a doorstep, every phone call you made to a voter, every person you talked with about the importance of VMC. Thank you for standing up for our medical center and making a huge difference."

In an October interview with the San Jose Mercury News, SEIU members Eileen and Robert Korjenek said the county hospital was simply indispensable.

"You can't do without it," says Eileen Korjenek. "If, God forbid, something should happen, you're going to want a place like that. You're going to want a place like Valley Medical Center to be there."

Since their son's car accident 13 years ago, the couple frequently visit the hospital and are gratified to know SEIU – our union – contributed to Measure A’s victory.

The 30-year bond measure would add approximately $14 per $100,000 in assessed value on county properties in the first year, and slightly less in subsequent years. The average cost to homeowners after the first year would be $65.05.



Supporters Hold Rally and Press Conference Oct. 7

With the aging county hospital serving as the backdrop, more than 200 supporters turned out for a press conference and rally for Measure A on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

Photo on the right: Santa Clara County Supervisor Pete McHugh
One after another, speakers addressed the critical need to get the bond measure passed on Nov. 4 in order to bring hospital units up to earthquake safety standards, as required by state law.

Supervisor Pete McHugh opened the event with a succinct message:
"Without VMC," said McHugh, chairman of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisor, "we are not in a good place." Supervisor Ken Yeager also joined McHugh on stage to express confidence that the community will rally behind Measure A and pass it with 2/3 votes, as needed.

Front-line emergency workers, including the Burn Center Director, spoke of the measure's importance.

Photo on the left: Scott Hartman, a 9-1-1 dispatcher and SEIU member
Scott Hartman, a 9-1-1 dispatcher and SEIU member, said county dispatchers field hundreds of phone calls for medical emergencies every day.

"People say, 'I have private insurance, I don’t need the county hospital,'" said Hartman. "But in an emergency facing a traumatic injury, most likely you would be transported to a trauma center like the one here at Valley Medical Center. Please vote yes on Measure A. We can't keep you safe without Valley Medical Center."

Photo on the right: Rosemary Romo and her son Victor
It was a mother's story that captivated the crowd. Rosemary Romo, a public health assistant for the County Public Health Department, stood on stage next to her son Victor.

"Victor is standing here today because the people here at VMC saved his life," said Romo, recounting a terrible accident in 2007 that brought Victor to VMC's emergency and trauma center.

"He was in a terrible accident. They had to work very, very hard to save his life," Romo said. "If the people here at VMC didn't start this miracle, people would be telling me, 'Sorry for your loss.'"

Photo on the left: Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager
California's law requires hospitals with trauma centers to be seismically compliant by 2013. Valley Medical Center's top-level trauma center, along with its burn unit -- the only one in the Bay Area-- are currently non-compliant.

Measure A seeks voter approval for $790 million dollars to rebuild VMC. It would also provide $50 million for new medical facilities in downtown San Jose to replace the closed San Jose Hospital.

Without Measure A funding, VMC will lose:

• 272 patient beds
• Level One Trauma Center
• Regional Burn Center