Members of SEIU‑United Healthcare Workers West have reached a tentative labor contract with KPC Health at six hospitals across Southern California, the union said in a Jan. 10 news release. The agreement averts a five‑day strike that was scheduled to begin Jan. 12. The union represents about 1,623 front-line workers — including respiratory therapists, nursing assistants, EMTs, lab assistants and environmental services staff — at Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville, Menifee Global Medical Center, Anaheim Global Medical Center, Chapman Global Medical Center in Orange, Hemet Global Medical Center and South Coast Global Medical Center in Santa Ana. KPC Health operates the hospitals. Union representatives said the tentative agreement addresses critical issues around staffing, safety and working conditions by ensuring fair pay and benefits for members. “This tentative agreement shows that when we stand together, healthcare workers can win improvements that protect both caregivers and our patients,” Jessica Meinert, an emergency department technician at Hemet Global Medical Center, said in the release. “We came together to demand that investment in the workforce in order to deliver high‑quality patient care and KPC executives heard us.” KPC Health shared the following statement with Becker’s: “KPC Health is pleased to confirm it has reached an agreement with SEIU‑UHW. This deal supports our caregivers and helps ensure our hospitals remain sustainable for the communities we serve despite challenging industry pressures facing safety‑net hospitals.” The tentative labor deal is still pending ratification by union members, who will vote on it later in January, according…
