The picket took place from noon to 2:30 p.m. local time, with a rally at 12:30 p.m.
“We’re holding a picket to let the public know that as nurses we are committed to making St. Mary’s live up to its mission. The staffing crisis is causing delays in treatment and putting nursing staff under tremendous stress,” Vernon Newton, RN, said in a statement.
Nurses claim staffing has been further strained by this year’s flu season.
In response to the picket, a hospital spokesperson said: “Dignity Health St. Mary’s Medical Center values our nurses and the excellent care they provide. The introduction of nurse shift managers at St. Mary’s aims to strengthen patient care. There will be no cuts to nursing positions at St. Mary’s as a result of this change.”
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