Around 2,400 registered nurses and licensed healthcare workers at three HCA Healthcare facilities in Southern California began a five-day strike Wednesday over concerns of inadequate staffing and worker safety.
The workers, represented by SEIU 121RN, were on strike through Sunday at Riverside Community Hospital, West Hills Hospital and Los Robles Regional Medical Center.
Related: Kaiser Permanente workers approve contract, secure big wins
Hospital executives and union leadership have been in contract negotiations since May, with each side claiming the other has failed to bargain in good faith. The previous contract expired Oct. 3.
In a statement Wednesday, HCA said it was disappointed in the union’s decision to strike and that it was evident the union had not taken the bargaining sessions seriously. The system said its hospitals will remain fully operational.
The union's concerns include claims of inadequate workplace violence protections and HCA facilities not adhering to California’s staffing ratio law.
Throughout 2023, thousands of healthcare workers have gone on strike to protest staffing levels, bad faith bargaining and patient safety. In October, more than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente employees went on strike before reaching an agreement with system leadership and ratifying a contract.