St. Francis Medical staff in Lynwood strike in large numbers.
Medical Personnel at St. Francis Medical Center Walk Off the Job in Protest
In a bold move, hundreds of medical personnel at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, California, staged a five-day strike against Prime Healthcare, the owner of hospitals in 14 states. The strike, which began on October 9, was prompted by the unions’ concerns over chronic understaffing and inadequate patient care practices.
The medical workers took to the streets, marching and picketing to draw attention to their grievances. Jesus Amarillas, a registered nurse at the hospital, expressed the challenges they face, stating, “We’re working with the minimum staff in the emergency department, and the other floors too. It’s really tough to keep going and working every day, and then nobody’s getting a pay raise for the last three, four years.”
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The union revealed that St. Francis has been experiencing a significant loss of registered nurses since Prime Healthcare acquired the hospital in 2020. According to union reports, registered nurse turnover at St. Francis was 24.01 percent in 2017, slightly higher than the national average of 22.5 percent. However, from 2020 to 2022, the turnover rate at St. Francis more than doubled to a staggering 50.42 percent.
Since June, St. Francis registered nurses have submitted over 6,000 staffing objection forms to California’s Department of Public Health. The union is determined to address the staffing issues and ensure quality patient care.
Prime Healthcare responded to the strike, stating, “We continue to bargain in good faith with union leadership with the goal of reaching agreements in the best interests of our hospitals, employees, and most importantly, those who we serve.” The company has proposed wage increases and comprehensive benefit programs, including top-notch healthcare, at little to no cost to employees.
The strike involves 600 registered nurses represented by UNAC/UHCP at St. Francis, as well as 900 other healthcare workers, including nursing assistants, medical assistants, vocational nurses, emergency room technicians, respiratory therapists, and environmental service aides, represented by SEIU-UHW. The SEIU-UHW healthcare workers are also striking at Prime hospitals in Centinela, Encino, and Garden Grove.
Despite the strike, Prime Healthcare assures the public that the hospitals will remain open and continue to provide essential medical services.
What impact did the strike have on patients and the wider community
“>Thousands of Kaiser Permanente workers went on strike to demand better staffing levels and higher pay.
Kaiser Permanente Employees Strike in Los Angeles to Support Workers as They Seek Better Conditions
Employees at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles showed solidarity with their colleagues in a strike for better working conditions.
The strike at St. Francis Medical Center is part of a larger trend in the healthcare industry, with medical personnel across the country advocating for better working conditions and patient care. Earlier this year, thousands of Kaiser Permanente workers went on strike to demand more staff and higher pay. The strike at St. Francis Medical Center is reminiscent of the Kaiser Permanente strike, with medical workers coming together to fight for their rights and the well-being of their patients.
The medical workers who participated in the strike wanted to send a clear message to Prime Healthcare about the urgent need for improved staffing levels and patient care practices. They argued that chronic understaffing puts patients at risk and places a heavy burden on the dedicated medical personnel who are left to provide care with limited resources. The lack of pay raises in recent years has also added to their frustrations, as they continue to work tirelessly without adequate compensation for their efforts.
According to the unions representing the medical workers, negotiations with Prime Healthcare have been ongoing for months, but little progress has been made. The strike was seen as a last resort to bring attention to their concerns and force the management to take their demands seriously. The medical workers hope that the strike will lead to meaningful changes in staffing levels, patient care practices, and compensation for their hard work.
The impact of the strike was felt not only within the hospital but also in the wider community. Patients who required medical care during the strike faced delays and disruptions, causing additional stress and hardship. However, many patients expressed their support for the striking medical workers, recognizing their dedication and the importance of their cause.
The strike at St. Francis Medical Center serves as a reminder of the vital role medical personnel play in our society and the challenges they face in delivering quality healthcare. It brings attention to the issues of chronic understaffing and inadequate patient care practices that can jeopardize the well-being of patients. The strike also highlights the need for better compensation and support for medical professionals who work tirelessly to save lives and improve the health of their communities.
As the strike continues for its fifth day, the medical workers at St. Francis Medical Center remain united and determined to see their demands met. They hope that their actions will inspire change not only within their hospital but also across the healthcare industry as a whole. The support and solidarity shown by patients, fellow healthcare workers, and the wider community give them strength and motivation to continue their fight for a better future for themselves and their patients.
Prime Healthcare has yet to comment on the strike or how they plan to address the concerns of the medical workers. It remains to be seen whether the strike will lead to meaningful changes in staffing levels, patient care practices, and compensation, but one thing is clear: the medical personnel at St. Francis Medical Center are determined to make their voices heard and fight for what they believe in.
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