SAN JOSE, Calif. – Almost 4,000 nurses working in Santa Clara County hospitals are gearing up for a three-day strike commencing Tuesday morning. The strike, a first in Santa Clara County’s history, is driven by concerns regarding patient safety and alleged unfair labor practices.

Concerns Prompting the Strike

Union board members cite the expiration of their contract five months ago as a catalyst for the strike. Among the key issues fueling the dispute are patient safety, workplace violence, and staffing ratios.

Nurses’ Perspective

Milae Tol, a nurse at O’Connor Hospital and a union board member, emphasizes the need for change, pointing out that Santa Clara County is the second-largest county in California, home to nearly 4,000 nurses. Tol highlights concerns about patient safety and staffing practices as major factors driving the strike.

Preparedness for the Strike

Union members and volunteers for the Registered Nurses Professional Association are actively preparing for the three-day strike at three of the county’s hospitals: Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, O’Connor, and St. Louise Regional Hospitals.

Patient Safety at Risk

Nurses express worries about being asked to perform tasks at multiple hospitals without adequate training, potentially compromising patient safety. Concerns include differences in techniques for patient care across various hospital units and inadequate staffing levels.

Contract Negotiations

The RNPA board underscores that county nurses have been operating without a contract since late October of the previous year. While the county asserts that most nurses received a 13.3% raise just last year, nurses argue that issues such as violent patients, insufficient security measures, and increased patient-to-nurse ratios remain unresolved.

Nurse-to-Patient Ratios

Amy English, a RNPA board member and nurse at O’Connor Hospital, highlights the critical nature of nurse-to-patient ratios. She explains that while a nurse can effectively manage two patients, the situation becomes precarious when the ratio increases, particularly in scenarios where multiple patients require urgent attention simultaneously.

County’s Response and Readiness

Santa Clara County asserts that it has implemented safety measures for both patients and staff in anticipation of the strike and is prepared to resume negotiations.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Patient Safety

As the strike unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring patient safety and addressing the concerns of nurses regarding workplace conditions and labor practices. The resolution of these issues will be pivotal in fostering a sustainable and secure healthcare environment in Santa Clara County.

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