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SF Chronicle Editorial: 'In public service; Behind a strike settlement'

November 16, 2005

In public service; Behind a strike settlement

San Francisco Chronicle Editorial

November 16, 2005

SIX HUNDRED workers went back to work Monday at the three San Francisco hospitals of the California Pacific Medical Center after an arduous two month strike.

Both sides in the conflict agree it's unlikely that the strike would have been settled without the notable behind-the-scenes involvement of Lou Giraudo, a prominent San Francisco businessman who owns Boudin Bakeries, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco.

During the weekend before the settlement, Pelosi, who presumably has her hands full trying to manage a squabbling Congress, participated in a marathon 13-hour session trying to help break the deadlocked negotiations -- even passing up on meeting Prince Charles to do so. After she left for Washington, her district director continued to sit at the negotiating table for several days.

"She helped break the impasse," says Sal Roselli, president of SEIU's United Health Care Workers West. "She knew the people who ran the hospital, and was able to get them to trust us." Dr. Martin Brotman, the CEO of the California Pacific Medical Center, agreed. "She was a mutually respected broker," he said. "She got each of us to better understand the other."

Brotman and Roselli -- as well as Pelosi -- credit Giraudo with an even more critical role.

In a lucky coincidence, Giraudo, whose immigrant father got his first job in America at Boudin through the bakers' union, is a friend of Roselli's. He is also a patient of Brotman's, and a major donor to the hospital. He offered his services to act as an unofficial mediator -- a role he played throughout the standoff.

"He was totally selfless, and spent many, many hours on this," Roselli said of Giraudo.

"He was there as someone who hated to see this happening to either side," said Brotman. "He wanted to see what he could as a friend to help in the negotiations."

One of the final negotiating sessions lasted 17 hours. Giraudo stayed with the process until the end.

It is notable that neither Pelosi nor Giraudo sought publicity for her or his contributions. A press release from Pelosi's office made only a passing reference to her involvement, and Giraudo insisted on keeping his role confidential.

This week, Giraudo emerged from anonymity to tell us, "That's what S.F. is all about -- it is a city where people help each other."

The exemplary involvement of two public citizens in quietly helping to resolve a grueling strike is what leadership is all about.