Labor union members take to the picket line, calling for more help in the workplace

Healthcare workers part of a labor union are picketing outside of Tenet Healthcare Hospitals Tuesday, to fight for what it says is a desperate need for more hands on deck among the hospital walls.

Members part of the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU - UHW) are taking to 12 Tenet Healthcare facilities. Two of those hospitals are in the Coachella Valley, which includes Desert Regional Medical Center, and John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital.

The union said it is asking for additional support to improve working conditions., and calling on management to provide additional support to retain and attract more caregivers in the industry.

Desert Care Network released a statement saying,

“The labor union that represents some of our employees, SEIU – United Healthcare Workers (SEIU-UHW), is holding a picketing event on Tuesday morning outside of Desert Regional Medical Center.

We are currently negotiating with the union, bargaining in good faith to reach an agreement on a contract. Our hospital will be fully operational and our staff’s focus, as always, is on providing exceptional quality patient care.

While we value all our employees who are represented by the SEIU-UHW, we are disappointed that the union is taking this action. Our focus is to ensure the best possible outcome for our hospital-based service, maintenance, and technical employees.”

The SEIU-UHW said if both parties can't come to a conclusion, a strike is planned for the future.