More than 100 healthcare workers at Watsonville (Calif.) Community Hospital plan to strike May 17, according to a union news release.
The workers, represented by Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, will strike "to protect patient care and protest the hospital's unfair labor practices," the union said.
WCH workers voted to strike in April. They allege the hospital bargained in bad faith for a contract and plan to unilaterally cut workers' healthcare benefits, the union said.
The hospital expressed disappointment in the planned strike.
“It’s disappointing the union has chosen to take this approach, but we are fully prepared to continue providing uninterrupted care,” Watsonville Community Hospital Public Information Officer Cindy Weigelt said in an emailed sattement. “Nothing will stop our hospital from delivering high-quality care to our patients and community.”
She said WCH has a contingency operations plan in place and will be appropriately staffed throughout any strike. "Physicians on the hospital’s medical staff, non-striking hospital employees and qualified temporary replacement staff are prepared to provide uninterrupted care," Ms. Weigelt added.
Approximately 160 WCH employees plan to strike, including certified nursing assistants, clinical laboratory scientists, laboratory technicians and dietary technicians, among others.