Nurses to strike in San Leandro, Alameda, Oakland

Registered nurses at San Leandro Hospital, Alameda Hospital and Highland Hospital in Oakland are striking for five days beginning today.

The nurses at San Leandro and Alameda hospitals allege bad faith on the part of management in contract talks, along with what they call punitive actions and persistent short-staffing among their reasons for striking.

The California Nurses Association, which represents the nurses in Alameda and San Leandro, plans pickets, rallies, a vigil and car caravans outside the two hospitals over the five days.

Highland Hospital workers are represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 1021.

The California Nurses Association has been in talks for two years with Alameda Health System, which manages the three hospitals. SEIU’s talks with the system have been going on since January.

“Dr. Noha Aboelata, a family practice physician and a trustee with the Alameda Health System, told Alameda County supervisors on Tuesday that the hospitals were “blindsided” by the strike announcement.

“There is no question that striking at this time jeopardizes Alameda County residents,” Aboelata said, referring to COVID-19.

The nurses association represents 175 registered nurses at Alameda Hospital and 150 registered nurses at San Leandro Hospital. SEIU has about 3,000 members at Highland, including nurses, housekeepers, technicians and food service workers.