Dialysis workers picketing at seven San Diego County clinics, 31 statewide
EL CAJON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Unionized dialysis caregivers are picketing on Wednesday to bring attention to their current working conditions.
Dialysis workers represented by the SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West union will be picketing across 31 clinics in California, seven of which are in San Diego County, to “demand a fair contract and draw attention to worsening conditions in dialysis care,” according to their press release.
The group expects over 700 caregiver workers across the clinics to take part in Wednesday’s demonstration; this includes registered nurses, social workers, technicians and more, according to the union.
Participating caregivers state that the companies they work for are “bargaining in bad faith, dragging out negotiations and refusing to address critical issues affecting patients and frontline healthcare workers.”
The Fresenius Kidney Care Fletcher Parkway location in El Cajon is expected to have the highest turnout in the county, with workers picking from 12 p.m.-1 p.m.
Workers will also be holding demonstrations at these locations across the county:
- 720 Gateway Drive, Ste B, San Diego, CA
- 2252 Verus Street, San Diego, CA
- 2084 Otay Lakes Rd Suite 101, Chula Vista, CA
- 7007 Mission Gorge Rd, San Diego, CA
- 11031 Via Frontera STE C San Diego CA
- 570 North 2nd Street, El Cajon, CA
“For years, we’ve been fighting to settle a contract that protects patients and respects caregivers,” U.S. Renal Registered Nurse Christine Delara said. “These companies are dragging their feet and refusing to bargain in good faith. Meanwhile, dialysis continues to suffer because of short staffing. Every time a patient’s treatment is cut short for this reason, we put their life at risk. Dialysis corporations need to stop this!”
