Members of the National Union of Healthcare Workers are set to strike April 19 at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland (Calif.).
More than 1,200 union members are slated to participate in the strike, an NUHW spokesperson told Becker's. Striking workers include service and technical workers, business office and clerical workers, and other professional employees.
Members of the California Nurses Association and the Caregivers and Healthcare Employees Union are also slated to hold a one-day sympathy strike in solidarity with NUHW members. Those unions represent registered nurses and other healthcare workers at the hospital.
"We know that our NUHW colleagues are a key part in ensuring our patients receive the care they deserve," Gail Lorenzana, BSN, RN, a registered nurse in the hematology/oncology unit, said in an April 7 union news release. "They are the technicians and food service workers, as well as the therapists and social workers. So, we are standing with NUHW in their fight for a fair contract."
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland expressed disappointment about the strike plans and emphasized its committment to negotiating in good faith.
"We're heartened that the union agreed to participate in the federal mediation process and remain hopeful that they will prioritize their patients by calling off the strike," the hospitla said in a statement shared with Becker's. "Ensuring access to exceptional care for our young patients and their families remains our top priority and our clinical and operations teams are hard at work to minimize the disruptions this strike would cause."
NUHW members at the facility have been working without a contract for many months, according to the union. During negotiations, the union has expressed concerns about any potential future plans to cut medical services or jobs in the East Bay.
The hospital, in its statement, emphasized its commitment to Oakland and the East Bay.
"The total number of NUHW-represented employees at BCH Oakland has increased steadily since 2018 and we are actively moving forward with plans to modernize our Oakland facilities, expanding our ability to provide excellent, compassionate care to children and their families, regardless of their ability to pay," the hospital said.