Registered Nurses to Strike at Six Tenet Hospitals in California

California Nurses Plan Strikes Over Staffing and Patient Care Concerns

Registered nurses from six Tenet hospitals across California are set to stage one-day strikes on Thursday, Oct. 30. These actions are in response to what nurses describe as the hospital corporation's disregard for staffing and patient care concerns. Represented by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU), 3,100 nurses have been engaged in contract negotiations since February without resolution on pivotal issues.

The strikes will occur at the following Tenet hospitals: San Ramon Medical Center (San Ramon), Doctors Hospital Manteca (Manteca), Doctors Medical Center (Modesto), Emanuel Medical Center (Turlock), Desert Regional Medical Center (Palm Springs), and Hi-Desert Medical Center (Joshua Tree).

For more information on strike locations, rally times, and contacts, please click here.

According to Joeton Labos, an ICU nurse at San Ramon Medical Center, "It’s clear to the nurses that Tenet is prioritizing profits over patients. We continue to lose experienced nurses to other area hospitals, which jeopardizes our ability to provide safe patient care. We will do everything in our power to fight for our patients, and that includes going out on strike!”

Nurses at the Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs express particular concern for the neonatal intensive care unit, where they claim staffing falls below state-mandated levels due to a misuse of emergency waivers. "Tenet is jeopardizing patient care for the most vulnerable newborns in our hospital," said Deb Edwards, a registered nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit. "We demand safe staffing for our precious babies and that Tenet live up to its stated values of 'acting with integrity and the highest ethical standards, always.'"

The nurses delivered a 10-day strike notice to Tenet management on Oct. 20, following a unanimous vote to authorize a strike in early September. Their demands include:

• Guaranteed meal- and rest-break coverage. Nurses often work 12-hour shifts and require breaks to maintain patient care quality.
• Enhancements in recruitment and retention of experienced nurses. Experienced staff are essential for patient safety and mentoring new nurses.
• Lift teams for patient handling tasks. Dedicated staff can prevent injuries to both patients and nurses.
• Consistent safe staffing levels. Insufficient staffing can delay care and endanger patients.

Tenet Healthcare Corporation, a major player in the health care industry, reported $4.1 billion in profits last year, significantly up from $1.3 billion in 2023. CEO Saum Sutaria was noted as the highest-paid health care CEO, earning over $24 million in 2024.

Concerns over staffing and safety at Tenet hospitals have drawn national attention. Lorena Burkett, a nurse at Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock, shared her experiences of understaffing with KFF Health News, emphasizing its impact on patient care. Additionally, the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health included Tenet in its 2023 Dirty Dozen report for compromising safety and retaliating against safety issue whistleblowers.

CNA represents 3,100 nurses at six Tenet hospitals in California.