Hundreds March to Fight Health Care Crisis

Portlanders rally and march during the national Health Care Action Day.

Portland (3/4/04) — “We have an emergency here!” screams the firefighter. Seconds earlier, the fire engine rolled into Pioneer Courthouse Square with sirens blaring. Hanging from the truck were victims of the health care crisis — senior citizens, workers with steadily eroding health care benefits, and the uninsured.

Barging through the crowd of several hundred, the firefighter leads the victims to the makeshift clinic. As the firefighter and health care crisis victims attempt to enter the clinic, a giant pill representing the huge drug companies blocks them.

Impersonators of downtown real estate owners, Tom Moyer and Joe Weston, block Portland janitors from entering. And a well-dressed gentleman symbolizing an arrogant insurance company prevents access by the uninsured.

Luckily, a worker from Powell’s gets in … barely … as his union gets a tentative contract preserving access to affordable health care. Most workers are not so fortunate. And the Powell’s worker worries what will happen when his union’s contract expires in 4 years.

Following the theater and rally on the square, rally-goers spill into the streets chanting “Health care now!” and “Health care is under attack…What do we do? Fight Back!”

With the fire engine and No War Drum Corps leading the crowd, the marchers stop at the Commonwealth Building owned by Joe Weston to demand he hire union janitors. Perched on top of the fire truck, SEIU Local 49 President Alice Dale tells the marchers that a 70% unionization rate for downtown janitors will mean family health care benefits for janitors.

Next, the spirited crowd marches and chants its way to the Fox Tower. There the marchers stop at the Fox Tower to make a similar demand of building owner Tom Moyer.

In Oregon and around the country, health care is in crisis. The day’s activities were part of a National Day of Action on Health Care. Sponsors of the march and rally were Portland Jobs with Justice, Oregonians for Health Security and SEIU Local 49.

Organizers brought workers, seniors, and the uninsured — those most vulnerable to the crisis — together to launch a long-term campaign and alert the public that people are organizing on this issue.

Organizations represented at the event include Oregon Alliance of Retired Americans, nurses represented by ONA and OFNHP, SEIU Locals 49 and 503, UFCW Local 555, the Carpenters, Oregon Action, Teamsters Locals 206 and 162, ILWU Locals 5 and 8, AFSCME, Tualatin Valley and Portland Firefighters, CWA, IWW, Portland Association of Teachers, and APWU Local 128.