worker on five HCA Healthcare Facilities in California have voted to authorize a five-day strike as the two sides continue contract talks.
Around 3,000 will join the strike that begins on May 22 SEIU-UHW members who work at HCA’s Good Samaritan Hospital and its Regional Medical Center in San Jose; Los Robles Medical Center in Thousand Oaks; West Hills Hospital in West Hills; and Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside.
The union and the health system said SEIU-UHW and HCA have several bargaining dates scheduled over the next few weeks to negotiate a contract for union members at these facilities. Previous contract expired.
If the union does strike, the HCA is preparing to ensure patients are still able to access care and needed medical resources, a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
Major issues raised by the union include shortage of staff, low wages and safety of workers. The hospital system called the union’s decision to take the strike vote “shocking” and said agreements had been reached on a number of issues.