MORENO VALLEY - County temporary workers will hold a candlelight vigil at the Riverside County Regional Medical Center (RCRMC) on Wed., April 30 to shine a light on problems within the County’s Temporary Assignment Program (TAP).

To date, the County has refused to recognize the decision of more than 1,000 temporary employees – many who work at the Medical Center as certified nursing assistants, certified medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, and in other patient care positions – who have submitted cards showing their support of joining SEIU 721.

“I’ve helped nurses and doctors save lives at RCRMC, but I do not receive health care,” said Elizabeth Acevedo, a certified nursing assistant who has worked at the RCRMC’s emergency room for the past four years. “Why is it that women, African Americans and Latinos make up so many of the County’s temp workers compared with the County’s permanent work force? Why have TAP employees been fired for supporting the union?”

“Right now Riverside County is headed in the wrong direction, and we want to make sure that County programs are operating fairly, the way they were originally intended.“

WHAT: Candlelight vigil to shine a light on problems within the Riverside County Temporary Assignment Program (TAP)

VISUALS: Members of the local clergy leading dozens of people lighting candles.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 30, 2008, 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Riverside County Regional Medical Center (near flag pole)
26520 Cactus Avenue, Moreno Valley, CA

WHO: County temporary workers, Community Coalition for Change, local clergy members, and SEIU members.

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