California dialysis workers to go on strike over allegedly unfair labor practices
More than 500 dialysis workers will go on strike on Monday and Tuesday.
More than 500 dialysis workers across California are expected to go on strike this week over allegedly unfair labor practices at Satellite Healthcare and Fresenius Kidney Care clinics.
Ninety-nine percent of workers voted to strike on Sept. 25 and 26 at clinics in cities like San Jose, Gilroy and Brentwood, citing concerns over management putting both dialysis clinic staff and patients at risk in order to increase profits, according to a press release from SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West. Workers are also expected to strike at locations in Southern California.
“We spend more time with our patients and coworkers than our own families, and they know we are chronically understaffed and underpaid,” Manny Gonzalez, a certified hemodialysis technician at Fresenius Kidney Care Juniper Fontana said in a statement. “Fresenius is trying to keep us silent because they’re afraid of us standing together, and they know that our patients are supporting us in this fight.”
The union alleged that in response to dialysis workers trying to improve safety conditions, management has been “threatening and intimidating caregivers, (and) firing workers for trying to form a union and speaking out to improve patient care.”
The strike will include dialysis workers in numerous roles including registered nurses, social workers, receptionists and certified clinical hemodialysis technicians.
Satellite and Fresenius did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday.
Bay Area locations affected Monday:
Satellite Healthcare Gilroy
8095 Camino Arroyo St., Suite 100 Gilroy, CA 95020
Satellite Healthcare Headquarters
300 Santana Row #300, San Jose, CA 95128
Bay Area locations affected Tuesday:
Fresenius Kidney Care Brentwood Park
4510 Ohara Ave Suite B Brentwood, CA 94513
Satellite Healthcare Blossom Valley
1450 Kooser Road San Jose, CA 95118