Workers at Sutter Health Prepare for Possible Strike
Workers at Sutter Health are making plans for a potential strike. Union officials are accusing the nonprofit health care provider of “bad faith bargaining,” linking it to serious staffing shortages they claim are affecting patient care.
“We don’t want to strike, but we feel it’s necessary,” said Nikki Moorer, a worker at Sutter Solano. She emphasized the need for management to address the issues directly, stating, “Procedures are being canceled, and patients are sent home because we don’t have enough staff. This isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a crisis.”
Members of the SEIU union, representing workers in locations such as Oakland, Santa Rosa, and San Francisco, have voted to authorize a strike, although no specific date has been set yet. Frustration continues to grow over high turnover rates and challenging working conditions at Sutter Health facilities.
The SEIU includes a diverse range of workers, from nursing assistants to environmental services staff. Union representatives have also criticized CEO Warner Thomas, who reportedly earned $11 million in 2023, for not investing back into staffing and patient care.
Sutter Health has responded to these allegations, stating that they are negotiating in good faith with the union. Spokeswoman Lindsey Goodwin mentioned, “We are dedicated to reaching a fair agreement and look forward to discussions in the upcoming week.”
Union leaders are scheduled to meet with Sutter Health on either October 9 or 10. It remains uncertain whether this meeting will prevent a strike.
In past months, Sutter Health workers have held protests across Northern California, including at the Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento. Additionally, there has been public outcry over Sutter Health’s plans for a new $1 billion campus in Emeryville, with concerns that it might negatively impact services in neighboring communities.
In April 2022, thousands of Sutter Health employees participated in a one-day walkout. This was followed by a five-day strike later that year organized by the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United. During those strikes, the health care provider hired temporary workers to ensure operations continued.
Earlier this year, Sutter Health reached a settlement of $228.5 million over a class-action lawsuit that accused the organization of overcharging patients and preventing them from accessing more affordable care options.
