UPTE-CWA Healthcare Workers Fight for Adequate Staffing

Healthcare workers at University of California, Irvine Medical Center, members of UPTE (University of Professional and Technical Employees)/CWA Local 9119 held a rally outside their workplace on Monday to demand adequate staffing levels. During the rally, the workers and their supporters spoke out about the harmful impacts of chronic staff shortages coupled with low pay in the hospital’s rehabilitation department, including burnout of workers, increased vacancies, and longer wait times for patients to receive care. The workers also raised concerns about being denied time off and not being able to spend time with their families due to the high rate of staff turnover and shortage. In addition to improving their working conditions, the workers are also fighting to ensure that patients, who need their assistance at a vulnerable time in their lives, receive timely access to well-staffed rehabilitation services.