About 4,700 unionized Sutter Health workers including nursing assistants and respiratory therapists voted to authorize a strike if negotiators can’t reach a new labor agreement with the not-for-profit health system.
Members of Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers voted 96% in favor of a strike as its negotiators seek improved working conditions and an end to short staffing, SEIU said.
The vote was taken at nine Sutter Health facilities: Oakland, Santa Rosa, Roseville, Berkeley, Lakeport, Vallejo, Antioch, Castro Valley and San Francisco, the union said. In addition to nursing assistants and respiratory therapists, the union represents licensed vocational nurses, environmental services, cooks and technicians.
Sutter cared for 3.5 million Californians in 2024, up about 100,000 from the previous year, according to its annual report. The organization ended 2024 with $142 million in operating income on total operating revenues of $18.2 billion, up 12.9% from 2023.
The union says turnover has forced employees to take on multiple roles and work longer hours as experienced caregivers leave for higher-paying jobs.
The union hasn’t chosen dates for a possible strike. The two sides are scheduled to bargain at upcoming sessions on Oct. 9 and 10.
Anything to get out of work.
“In addition to nursing assistants and respiratory therapists, the union represents licensed vocational nurses, environmental services, cooks and technicians…The union says turnover has forced employees to take on multiple roles and work longer hours as experienced caregivers leave for higher-paying jobs.”
Easy sttlement have the qualifed employees apply for the “Experienced Caregiver” jobs. There I fixed it for them. If anyone believes that, I have a Bridge in Brooklyn you might be interested in buying.
Judging by Sutter Health’s 990 forms, even considering they are considered to be above average in actual “health care” ~~ the books indicate health care may be a side line to their “investment strategies” income~
Around 18 of the top pencil pushers draw annual pay packages well over One Million Dollars, with the CEO generally upwards of $13,000,000. (not accounting for stock options?)
Bottom line: Sutter is sitting on well over $4,000,000,000.00 in clear, after expenses, assets.
~~~~ and holding staff to a bare minimum!
If you’ve ever had to watch a nurse’s aide, working alone and cursing in island pig-latin gibberish, as she flops your 90 year old Mother over ~ like a fish on a frying pan, to change a wet garment… you’d know all the money in the world won’t change that aides attitude!
***** Attitude comes from the penthouse offices.