The picket was organized by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West union. About 120 employees at Arroyo Grande joined the union last year, according to the report, and contract negotiations are ongoing.
According to the report, some Dignity Health employees believe the system is putting patient care at risk through low wages, job outsourcing and potential layoffs.
“Dignity Health is not asking for wage cuts or to eliminate fully employer-paid benefits. We also have not proposed reducing wages. In addition, there are no contract issues or provisions related to staffing levels and patient care,” the hospital said in a statement, according to the Santa Maria Times.
The union is prepared to protest again in September if a contract deal is not reached soon, according to the report.
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