Members of SEIU Local 121RN plan to begin a five-day strike March 2 at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Calif.
The union represents more than 1,000 nurses at the hospital, according to a Feb. 27 SEIU Local 121RN news release shared with Becker’s. Providence Saint Joseph is part of Renton, Wash.-based Providence, a 51-hospital system with about 125,000 caregivers.
Union members have been bargaining for a new labor contract since September 2025.
SEIU Local 121RN contends Providence has pursued cost-cutting proposals during negotiations, including increased healthcare costs for nurses, ending a discretionary retirement contribution, eliminating a health incentive and removing an attendance policy the union says protects nurses from discipline when they are sick. The union said nurses are seeking a contract that ensures safe staffing, protects them from harassment and maintains their health benefits.
In a statement shared with Becker’s, Providence said it has bargained in good faith and remains committed to reaching “a fair, market-competitive agreement.” The system said it respects caregivers’ legal right to strike but believes strikes delay constructive negotiations. Providence also said it has contracted with replacement nurses to maintain operations during the strike.
The planned strike follows a five-day walkout at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana (Calif.) Medical Center that ended Feb. 21.
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