KPC Health
HEMET (CNS) – The union representing health care workers at three Inland Empire hospitals has reached a tentative contract agreement with KPC Health executives, averting a strike the workers had authorized for next week, officials announced Saturday.
The workers had previously authorized a five-day strike beginning Monday at Hemet Global Medical Center, Menifee Global Medical Center and Victor Valley Global Medical Center, along with Anaheim Global Medical Center, Chapman Global Medical Center and South Coast Global Medical Center in Orange County.
The agreement addresses critical issues around staffing, safety and working conditions, according to Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West.
“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. “We came together to demand that investment in the workforce in order to deliver high-quality patient care and KPC executives heard us.”
KPC Health did not immediately reply to a request for comment Saturday.
The tentative contract agreement needs to be voted on and approved by the members before it is final.
SEIU-UHW represents more than 1,500 workers across KPC Health, including respiratory therapists, nursing assistants, emergency medical technicians, laboratory assistants, environmental services workers and many other frontline staff.
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