Media Advisory
August 23, 2023
Contact: Jeff Rogers | jeff.rogers@unacuhcp.org | 909-263-7230
Onsite Contact: Anjetta Thackeray | anjetta.thackeray@unacuhcp.org | 909-455-5146
Fight for Safe Care: Hundreds of Nurses and Allies Will Picket St. Francis Medical Center on August 29
“They make short staffing a standard of care here and it’s just really sad for the community.” –Scott Byington, RN
St. Francis Medical Center (SFMC) is one of the busiest hospitals in Los Angeles County, with the only level 2 trauma, stroke, and STEMI (heart attack response) center for many miles around. Prime Healthcare bought SFMC through bankruptcy in 2020, terminated 20% of the experienced registered nurses, cut RN pay by 12%, and instituted a three-year wage freeze—during the pandemic, even as RNs risked their lives every day with inadequate PPE (personal protective equipment). Now the hospital is dangerously understaffed nearly every day on every shift. RN turnover since Prime took control has been over 50%.
“They make short staffing a standard of care here,” says Scott Byington, RN, president of the St. Francis Registered Nurses Association (SFRNA), “and it’s just really sad for the community.”
Prime has rejected EVERY proposal for safer patient care during the RNs’ negotiations for a new contract. Now, the nurses are speaking out to alert the public—and hoping to turn negotiations around before management’s stonewalling forces a strike.
WHO:
Registered Nurses of St. Francis Medical Center—members of UNAC/UHCP
Other St. Francis health care workers—members of SEIU-UHW
Labor Allies from other local unions—members of the LA County Federation of Labor
Elected Officials including Lynwood City Council member Jose Luis Solache and other
WHAT: Informational Picket
WHEN: Tuesday, August 29, 2023 6:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: St. Francis Medical Center—in front of the hospital
3630 E. Imperial Hwy, Lynwood, CA 90262
Imperial Highway & Martin Luther King, Blvd.
Nurses will be available to tell their stories about the patient care hazards at St. Francis and how they’re fighting for safer patient care. Multiple Spanish-speaking RNs will be available.
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United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) represents more than 35,000 registered nurses and health care professionals in California and Hawaii, including optometrists; pharmacists; physical, occupational and speech therapists; case managers; nurse midwives; social workers; clinical lab scientists; physician assistants and nurse practitioners; hospital support and technical staff. UNAC/UHCP is affiliated with the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO.