Riverside Community Hospital Nurses are ON STRIKE for Safe Staffing. Nearly 600 Nurses came out to picket on the first shift of the first day of the strike, which runs until 7 a.m. on July 6. Bookmark this page to keep track of all of the breaking news from the picket line. For more info about why Nurses are striking, click here.
Reports from the strike line:
(Check back frequently for the latest updates as clips become available.)
With coronavirus patients filling up Inland Empire hospitals, nurses are desperate for relief.
The Los Angeles Times
Two Riverside Community Hospital RNs are intereviewed in this LA Times story about the latest COVID surge. Their insightful commentary makes one thing clear: We won’t beat this pandemic without safe staffing.Hundreds of CA Nurses Strike Over Unsafe Staffing During a Pandemic.
Nurse.org
The leading online content provider for Nurses featured our strike. Riverside RN Monique Hernandez tells the story of how we took on the powerful Hospital Corporation of America, in an interview that will surely inspire Nurses everywhere.US reports record-high number of new COVID-19 cases in a day.
Good Morning America
Good Morning America reports on the spike in Coronavirus cases in California, where Riverside is ground zero. Nurses spoke out from the picket line about why safe staffing is key to surviving the pandemic.(Video) Nurses in Riverside, Calif. are on strike alleging unsafe staffing and inadequate PPE .
Washington Post
“We are pleading that our CEO understands where we’re coming from…” The Washington Post brings Nurse voices from the picket line—unfiltered, powerful, and raw.
Striking California nurses picket, demand equipment, better conditions to fight COVID.
Reuters
Now that leading news organization Reuters covered our strike, our call for safe staffing is truly being heard around the world. The New York Times picked up the story, too.KOST 103.5 shout-out: “We are supporting you, Nurses!”
ABC World News on COVID surge features RNs’ voices from the picket line.
ABC World News Tonight
ABC World News Tonight turned to Nurses on the picket line to explain how a massive surge in new COVID cases will impact an already understaffed hospital in one of the hardest-hit areas.
Nationwide surge in coronavirus cases prompts states to reimpose restrictions.
CBS Evening News
CBS Evening News kicked off their Coronavirus coverage in Riverside, where the newest surge threatens to overwhelm ICUs. Striking Nurses spoke out from the picket line on why sufficient staffing so important during the crisis.
Riverside Community Hospital Nurses on Strike Protesting Working Conditions
“Real 92.3” Radio
Even our local radio morning shows are posting about our strike. RCH management keeps saying they haven’t furloughed anyone. I wonder what they call completely removing people from the schedule? …people willing to work!California Nurses Strike Over Staffing Issues—Labor action claims dehydrated nurses wear masks for 12 hours without a break for water or lunch
MEDPAGE TODAY
“They accuse their administrators of ordering staff reductions that have resulted in dangerously high nurse-to-patient ratios that put themselves and their patients at risk. The nurses say they’re sometimes forced to work their 12-hour shifts without taking a break to eat, get a drink of water, or even use the bathroom.”‘We’re surging again.’ Doctors, nurses angry as coronavirus strains California hospitals
Los Angeles Times
This article mentions our strike and quotes RCH Nurses Erik Andrews and Erin McIntosh, both representing their colleagues on the Union’s Staffing Issues Committee inside the hospital.As ICU Beds Reach Capacity in Riverside, Nurses Protest Working Conditions
Spectrum News 1
Nurse Mary Martin speaks out; while hospital says it’s “following guidelines,” we know that their poor PPE distribution has resulted in two staff deaths and more than 60 RNs testing positive.‘Riverside Community Hospital Nurses Say They Are Understaffed And Don’t Have Enough PPE.
LAist
LAist/SCPR talked to Nurse Erik Andrews about why we’re on strike at Riverside Community Hospital. Erik and his coworkers go for 10 hours straight without food, water or a bathroom break—a disaster for patient safety. HCA’s response shows they still just don’t get it.
Listen to the report on KPPC:Riverside Community Hospital nurses stage 10-day strike, alleging inadequate support amid pandemic.
KTLA
KTLA reported from the picket line, with raucous Nurses chanting and cheering. Riverside RN Joyce Cardenas explained that Nurses are out here because “We need to save lives.”
Fox11 Skyfox chopper captures the picket: “Nurses Strike in Riverside”
Fox 11 Los Angeles
How do five hundred picketing Nurses look from the air? Awesome! Looking down on the crowd, Fox’s Stu Mandel said: “I hope the Nurses get what they need!”
NBC 4 Los Angeles: Riverside Community Hospital Nurses Strike
NBC 4 Los Angeles reports on the launch of the Riverside Community Hospital Nurses’ strike, with interviews from the picket line.
Telemundo: Huelga ante aumentro en numero de pacientes.
Telemundo
Telemundo came to the protest to tell viewers why Nurses are out here striking. The reporter spoke to RN Kathy Montanino.
Nurses begin 10-day strike at Riverside Community Hospital
Riverside Press EnterpriseThe Riverside Press Enterprise did in-depth reporting and took some great photos of our picket line. “We are on the strike line for one reason: safe staffing,” said RCH Labor and Delivery RN Kerry Cavazos.
HCA nurses launch 10-day strike at California hospital
Becker’s Hospital Review
The go-to source for the hospital industry reported on the launch of our strike for Patient Safety.
Reportage leading up to our strike for patient safety.
HCA nurses launch 10-day strike at California hospital
Healthcare Dive
Great reporting in this important industry news-source on the eve of the strike.US Nurses At For-Profit Hospital Chain To Strike Over Cuts And PPE Shortages
The Guardian/Kaiser Health News
When the pandemic hit, I thought HCA, our hospital, would be revving up the resources, that we would have more resources, more staff, but unfortunately it was the opposite. They started making cuts, and we’re working with skeleton crews,” McIntosh added. “We’re being cut to the bare minimum.”Riverside Community Hospital nurses strike starts Friday
Riverside Press Enterprise
A day ahead of the strike, Riverside’s local newspaper carried this story, with a powerful quote from RN Kathy Montanino: “We want our voices heard, and we want the hospital to know we are willing to sacrifice our wages to make them provide safe patient care.”ForProfit Bailed-Out California Hospital Cuts Nursing Staff Amid Pandemic: Strike Notice
Daily Kos
This article about our strike mentions the high incentive pay RCH is wasting on hiring replacement RNs; includes info on other HCA hospitals and their poor performance during the pandemic.California nurses at HCA-owned hospital issue strike notice
Becker’s Hospital Review
Citing staffing and safety concerns, registered nurses at Riverside (Calif.) Community Hospital have issued a strike notice, according to the union that represents them.HCA nurses to strike over staffing cuts and PPE shortages
Modern Healthcare
Nurses and support staff at HCA Healthcare, the largest for-profit hospital chain in the U.S., plan to strike Friday in protest over cuts and concessions the corporation is pushing on front-line healthcare workers as the coronavirus continues to spread nationwide.