Health care workers at six hospitals affiliated with KPC Health have reached a tentative agreement with hospital executives, successfully averting a strike that had been scheduled for next week. The announcement, made on Saturday, comes after the workers had authorized a five-day strike set to begin on March 11, 2024.
The hospitals involved in this agreement include Anaheim Global Medical Center, Chapman Global Medical Center, and South Coast Global Medical Center in Orange County, as well as Hemet Global Medical Center, Menifee Global Medical Center, and Victor Valley Global Medical Center in the Inland Empire region. The negotiations were facilitated by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), which represents over 1,500 employees across KPC Health.
Union officials stated that the agreement addresses critical issues concerning staffing levels, workplace safety, and overall working conditions. “This tentative agreement shows that when we stand together, health care workers can win improvements that protect both caregivers and our patients,” said Jessica Meinert, an emergency department technician at Hemet Global Medical Center. She emphasized the importance of investing in the workforce to ensure high-quality patient care.
As part of the agreement process, union members will need to vote on the terms before the contract becomes final. The negotiations reflect ongoing efforts to improve the work environment for health care professionals, who have faced significant challenges in recent years.
KPC Health has not provided immediate comments regarding the agreement but will likely address the terms as union members prepare for their vote. The resolution of this issue comes at a time when many health care workers are advocating for better conditions in light of the demands placed on them during the pandemic and beyond.
The SEIU-UHW represents a diverse group of workers, including respiratory therapists, nursing assistants, emergency medical technicians, and laboratory assistants, among others. The agreement marks a significant step toward addressing the concerns raised by health care professionals across the region.
With the strike now averted, attention will turn to the upcoming vote by union members, which will determine the finalization of the contract and the future working conditions for these essential health care workers.
