Union-affiliated hospital and nursing home care workers marched on the streets of Oakland, CA, Wednesday as part of an effort to raise the standards of healthcare delivery.

The march, organized by the Service Employees International Union/United Healthcare Workers-West, is a new tactic being used in the re-negotiation of nearly 200 California based hospital and nursing home contracts in 2008. Organizers also held a rally and a press conference.

Union leaders began preparations for the march nearly a decade ago when they organized expiring contracts in order to give them more leverage as healthcare workers. Contract negotiations are set to begin in March.

“Our goal is one standard of care for healthcare workers throughout the state, with expanded training opportunities, increased job security and significantly improved wages and benefits for workers across the industry,” UHW President Sal Rosselli said in a press release.