Earlier today, scores of healthcare professionals at the St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, California initiated a strike, citing inadequate staffing and questionable patient care practices by the hospital. The protest started at 6:30 a.m. and it is anticipated to last until the following Saturday.
Union officials assert that St. Francis has witnessed a steady outflow of registered nurses, particularly after Prime Healthcare assumed ownership of the institution in 2020. Since 2017, registered nurse turnover at the hospital had been 24.01%, but from 2020 to 2022, this figure rose sharply to 50.42% according to Fox LA.
Striking at the St. Francis, are 600 registered nurses affiliated to UNAC/UHCP, and 900 other healthcare workers, including nursing assistants, medical assistants, vocational nurses, emergency room technicians, respiratory therapists, and environmental service aides, represented by SEIU-UHW. The latter group is striking at Prime hospitals in Centinela, Encino, and Garden Grove, as reported by ABC 7.
There are accusations from hospital staff that there are not enough workforce every day, on every shift, with detrimental impacts to the quality of patient care and safety. Some workers have asserted that since the hospital was taken over by Prime Healthcare, the company has cut 20% of experienced RNs and reduced their pay by 12%, contributing to the high turnover rate.
According to ABC 7 news report, St. Francis Medical Center, reacting to the strike, released a statement clarifying its ongoing negotiations with union leaders and intentions to arrive at an agreement favorable to the hospital, its employees and, most importantly, its patients. The hospital expressed firm commitment to continue operation, maintaining quality patient care with competent staff during the strike.
