Healthcare workers at San Francisco-based Dignity Health plan to participate in nearly 30 protests across California beginning this month, according to the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West.
The SEIU-UHW, which represents about 15,000 Dignity Health employees, said in an online statement workers are protesting "to demand the corporation [Dignity Health] operate in the interests of patients, healthcare workers and communities" amid its proposed merger with Englewood, Colo.-based Catholic Health Initiatives.
The announcement comes as a labor deal for Dignity Health workers is slated to expire in April.
In a statement to Becker's Hospital Review, Dignity Health said it has "shown respect for our employees" during negotiations for a new labor deal, and "continues to bargain in good faith."
"We pledge to maintain open lines of communication, and do everything we can to reach an agreement that is fair to our employees, our patients and our organization," the statement reads.
Protests are scheduled between Feb. 20 and March 7. Union officials expect thousands of employees to participate.
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