Saint Mary's Responds to February Nurses Strike Threat

Screenshot from a video by channel_775 shared with us on the Biggest Little Streets IG.

A group of nurses at Saint Mary’s, part of Prime Healthcare, announced their intent to strike on February 18th as they fight for what they call “a fair contract,” and safer staffing. A press conference today was also about an alleged wrongful termination.

“We are currently up for contract negotiations,” a nurse wrote Our Town Reno recently. “Prime Healthcare has refused multiple times to give us safe staffing ratios, safe orientation for new grads (only 6 weeks which is way below standard for training a new nurse) and giving fair wages,” they alleged.

After an overwhelming union vote to strike, a recent email from Prime Healthcare alleges “the union was potentially suppressing the vote of many of our employees.”

Meanwhile, a flyer from the California Nurses Association, the National Nurses Organizing Committee and National Nurses United has a bold headline proclaiming “Strikes Authorized at Prime Hospitals in California and Nevada,” including the St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

Last April, frontline caregivers at Prime Healthcare’s West Anaheim Medical Center staged a midday picket, in front of West Anaheim Medical Center, which is also on the strike list, to address alarming turnover rates and low wages allegedly jeopardizing patient care.

Today, we received this multi part message from Saint Mary's:

“Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center is committed to maintaining a respectful, professional, and safe workplace for all employees. While we cannot comment on individual personnel matters to respect privacy, employment decisions are made following a careful and thorough investigation of all the facts and in accordance with our policies, applicable laws, and collective bargaining agreements. Saint Mary’s does not tolerate retaliation or discrimination of any kind. We respect our employees’ rights and value the essential role nurses and all caregivers play in caring for our patients and community. Our focus remains on supporting our teams and ensuring a workplace grounded in professionalism, compassion, and mutual respect.”

Hospital statement on 1-day strike notice:

“Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center, recognized for its commitment to quality, patient-centered care, and health equity, has bargained in good faith with California Nurses Association with the goal of reaching an agreement that is in the best interest of our hospital, our employees, and, most importantly, the patients and community we serve.

As part of this commitment, Saint Mary’s has already implemented wage increases that will provide millions of dollars in additional compensation to our nurses over the next three years, reflecting our ongoing effort to recognize and reward the dedication of our more than 300 nursing professionals. These wage increases, along with comprehensive benefit programs that rank among the best in the nation, have been included in proposals presented during negotiations.

Despite these meaningful investments and continued discussions, the union has chosen to proceed with a strike. While we are disappointed by this decision, it will not affect Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center’s unwavering commitment to remain fully open and appropriately staffed with qualified professionals to deliver safe, high-quality care.

The planned one-day strike will not disrupt patient care, and our hospital will continue to provide trusted, reliable services to the community. We respect our employees’ rights and value the essential role nurses and all caregivers play in caring for our patients and community. Our focus remains on supporting our teams and ensuring quality care to our community.”

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