Rawlin workers: 'This fight is not over. We’re done watching our residents die.'

Around 15 Rawlin workers gathered on a rainy Friday night underneath a pop-up canopy to remember the 25 residents that have lost their lives in the last few months. Speakers attested that many of them that died, could have been saved if they were provided better care. Of some of the reasons listed: bed sores and starvation. As a worker read out a room number of a resident that died, not providing name in order to follow HIPPA guidelines, another worker raised a candle that corresponded to the room number.

At the foundation of the Rawlin workers’ union’s demands is better care for their residents, who members of the union view as family. Workers have spoken to understaffing, inadequate training, and low pay that leads to turnover. They say all of these lead to their residents not receiving adequate care.

Summer Trosko, who is a Rawlin worker and has been a leader in the union campaign, closed out the vigil with prepared remarks on the state of the labor action. With still no recognition of the union by Rawlin management, workers have decided to continue the strike for at least another 10 days.

“Tonight, we have made a decision to continue the strike at The Rawlin for another 10 days. During this time, our focus will move from the picket line into the community. We will be talking to families and church leaders and legislators about what is going on at The Rawlin and in these industries in general,” the workers’ statement on The Rawlin Strike reads.

In a closing remark they add, “This fight is not over. We’re done watching our residents die.”

Workers are running a GoFundMe to support their loss of wages.

Local links

  • A update on the Westmoreland Park camp: James Croxton of Double Sided Media reports on how activists were able to diffuse the planned sweep last Wednesday. At least for now.

  • Black Thistle Street Aid has a note on how the unhoused are also harrassed through techno-surveillance.

  • Environmental activist Joseph Dibee is set to face trial in Eugene next month for his alleged involvement in the eco-wars at the turn of the century. Ardeshir Tabrizian writes about his journey for the Eugene Weekly.

  • Lane County remains at extreme risk, cases decline and vaccines for all could come by April

  • Springfield Public Schools reopened earlier this month and last week they reported two COVID cases that led to 51 others quarantining.

  • Double Sided Media finished its seven part series on protests in Eugene, you can read them all here.

The week ahead

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