Providence Torrance Workers Join NUHW, Securing Union Representation

Providence Little Company of Mary Workers in Torrance Vote to Unionize

Inspired by their colleagues in San Pedro, 533 employees at Providence Little Company of Mary in Torrance have voted to form a union with the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW). This group includes certified nursing assistants, food service workers, phlebotomists, radiology transporters, unit secretaries, and housekeeping staff, who initiated the unionization process after observing their peers at the nearby Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro.

Leticia Haretakis, a food service employee, expressed her joy over the union victory: “Estoy supercontenta. Todavía no puedo creer que lo conseguimos.” Haretakis was motivated to organize after experiencing disrespect from supervisors in the Dietetics Department. “Los supervisores toman represalias en contra de cualquiera que se queje,” she said, emphasizing the need for a contract that ensures fairness and advocates for changes within the workplace.

Despite facing an anti-union campaign by Providence that spread misinformation, the workers successfully secured their union. They now aim to negotiate with management for improved benefits, staffing levels, more paid time off, and enhanced safety measures for both employees and patients.

Jay Udeoba, a certified nursing assistant, highlighted the necessity of having a union: “Cada vez que la gerencia hacía un cambio, no éramos escuchados porque no teníamos sindicato.” With union representation, Udeoba believes they will have a voice in the hospital, advocating for better wages and supporting both colleagues and patients.

The success at Torrance is part of a broader effort by NUHW throughout Providence’s facilities statewide. Earlier this year, 86 rehabilitation therapists, social workers, and dietitians at Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro overwhelmingly voted to join their 500 service and technical area colleagues as NUHW members. Additionally, May saw 55 professionals at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka and nearly 100 at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital opt for unionization.

NUHW currently represents over 3,000 Providence workers, with more than 60% employed across five hospitals and a hospice home care unit in Northern California. These employees are actively negotiating their next union contract.

Providence, one of the largest nonprofit hospital systems in the U.S., operates 51 hospitals and over 900 clinics. Despite having $8.4 billion in cash reserves and investments as of 2023, Providence has been cutting its workforce and healthcare services. This includes closing its maternity units and outpatient labs to reduce expenses, raising concerns about employee safety and patient care.

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