Dignity Health nurses protest over patient safety, staffing concerns

Kelly Gooch -

Dignity Health nurses in Southern California have launched a series of protests about what they say are unsafe conditions at three facilities, according to the union that represents them.

Protesting took place July 31 at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, Calif. It is scheduled to continue Aug. 1 at Northridge (Calif.) Hospital Medical Center and Aug. 6 at St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo, Calif.

Nurses have expressed concerns about patient safety and the safety of their colleagues because of inadequate staffing and security, Service Employees International Union Local 121RN said in a news release.

"Nurses have suffered injuries in preventable patient attacks," union leaders wrote. Nurses "also report regularly working 12-hour shifts without breaks because of inadequate staffing."

In response to the protesting, Dignity Health told Becker's: "Throughout these negotiations we have shown respect for our employees and we will continue to bargain in good faith. We pledge to maintain open lines of communication and do everything we can to reach an agreement that is fair to our employees, our patients and our hospital."

 

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