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Hundreds of frontline health care workers at Sequoia Hospital have voted overwhelmingly in favor of going on strike after contract negotiations with their employer did not meet their expectations.
Of the hospital's health care workers—consisting of nurses' assistants, surgical techs, aides, respiratory therapists, and more—a whopping 95% voted to go on strike. The health care workers say that this decision to strike is in response to their employer, Dignity Health and President Bill Graham, failing to address issues regarding fair pay and benefits after four months of negotiating.
The health care workers will begin picketing outside the hospital on July 18 at 6 a.m., according to a spokesperson.
Other issues the health care workers have said they would like to see addressed are safer staffing ratios to provide optimal care for patients, as well as a better investment in staff longevity in response to staff recruitment and retention problems, which are problems that are contributing to a patient caseload crisis
The health care workers say that the staffing crisis has been made worse by lower wages and spikes in health insurance premiums, resulting in a decreased experienced staff required to deliver proper care to patients.
Dignity Health confirmed that the union plans to strike on July 18.
"While we are disappointed with their decision to engage in this manner, we continue to negotiate in good faith," the hospital system said in a statement.
Yvonne Haynes, a CNA in the Sequoia Hospital's Medical/Surgical/Orthopedic Unit, says that the health care workers will continue to strike until the issues they have brought up are addressed and met so that they can effectively do their jobs.
“We are going to remain on strike until we can deliver the high-quality care San Mateo County deserves, through high-quality jobs we can be proud of,” Haynes said.
“We are disappointed and saddened that they are treating us this way. We work at this hospital because we love our work, care for our patients, and are committed to this community. We have put our lives on the line through COVID, and many people left. But we stayed.”
Dignity Health, in a statement, said despite the strike, it "provides a vital source of care in our community. The hospital has taken appropriate precautions to ensure safe and effective staffing. Our facility will remain open, and all services will continue to be available."
