It's health care workers, the people that provide the care, wanting a voice with the accountants and the CEO's to determine on the staffing that's needed.

We are gratified to receive the support from all the mayors, as well as from Senator Boxer and Representative Pelosi. It points up the fact that caregivers want a compromise agreement that benefits our patients. We don't understand what's wrong with Sutter Health that it would force a strike instead.

This contract is a major victory for patients. It is unfortunate that these workers had to strike for 7 days and get locked out in order to win better patient care standards. But now standards at Eden are finally in line with those at every other Sutter hospital in the Bay Area.

Our union has contracts with more than 300 different employers, and it is easy to say the least turnover, the most stability, the most worker satisfaction is with Kaiser Permanente, without a doubt.

Congresswoman Lee is a long-time advocate for both working people and patients. Her intervention at Eden Medical Center will help hospital management and SEIU members take one step closer towards a fair contract that puts quality patient care first. Our members look forward to negotiating with management to settle an industry standard contract and getting back to taking care of patients.

Staffing has decreased dramatically over the years. Their normal operation is to eliminate departments and lay off staff. It's all about money to them. That's the real danger to patient care.

It is the best-private sector health care system contract in the United States. Workers have a real voice in determining how care is given, including in staffing levels.