What You Need to Know About the Sutter Health Nurses Strike
On Monday, September 27th, 2021, more than 24,000 registered nurses (RNs) and healthcare professionals at Sutter Health (a non-profit healthcare network with 24 hospitals in California) went on a four-day strike. This is the third time since 2018 that the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) has held a strike against Sutter Health, with the previous strikes happening in October 2019 and June 2021.
Why Did the Nurses Strike?
The main issue that led to the strike is the disagreement between the CNA/NNU and Sutter Health over safe staffing levels and wages. The CNA/NNU argue that Sutter Health is understaffed, which leads to unsafe patient care, while Sutter Health claims that they offer competitive wages and a safe working environment.
The CNA/NNU also accuse Sutter Health of unfair labor practices, such as intimidating and retaliating against nurses who advocate for safe patient care. The nurses have demanded that Sutter Health improve staffing levels and create a safe working environment for all employees.
Impact of the Strike on Patients
With more than 24,000 registered nurses and healthcare professionals striking, the impact on patient care was significant. Sutter Health had to hire replacement nurses on a temporary basis to ensure continuity of care. Some non-essential services were cancelled, and many patients experienced delays in care. Despite the disruption, Sutter Health has stated that they were able to provide high-quality care to patients during the strike.
The Ongoing Battle Over Healthcare Costs
The Sutter Health nurses’ strike is part of a larger battle over healthcare costs in California. Sutter Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in the state, and the cost of healthcare is a major issue for both patients and healthcare professionals. The CNA/NNU are pushing for more affordable healthcare and higher wages, while Sutter Health is trying to balance their costs with the needs of their patients and employees.
Conclusion
The Sutter Health nurses’ strike highlights the ongoing struggle between healthcare providers and healthcare workers over safe staffing levels and wages. While Sutter Health has stated that they provide a high level of care, the CNA/NNU argue that staffing levels are inadequate, leading to unsafe patient care. This strike, and the previous strikes in 2019 and 2021, demonstrate the ongoing battle over healthcare costs and the need for affordable, quality care for all patients.
