MEDIA ADVISORY FOR:
Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024

Concord, Calif. – Frontline healthcare workers will picket and protest the severe short staffing and high turnover at John Muir Behavioral Health Center that is putting both patients and workers at risk on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. in front of the facility.

Workers are raising the alarm over mismanagement at the facility that has led to chronic short-staffing, poor patient care, delays in discharge plans for patients, and high employee turnover. Workers, especially in social services and mental health, are frequently overworked and leave for safer, better-paying jobs. The short staffing has also created serious safety concerns, with both workers and patients facing violent situations.

WHAT: Frontline behavioral healthcare workers with signs and marching in front of the hospital

WHEN: 11 am – 2 pm

WHERE: 2740 Grant St., Concord, 94520

Healthcare workers say that safety concerns, workload, high stress, and low pay contribute to a lack of experienced staff needed to care for patients. Proper continuity of care for patients with serious mental illness may prevent premature deaths and suicide, may lower the number of emergency department (ED) visits and may contribute to a better quality of life for patients. Together with patients and allies, they are demanding John Muir Health executives invest in the workers who keep the behavioral health center running.

SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West represents approximately 100 John Muir Behavioral Health Center healthcare employees. They work in various jobs, including mental health counselors, psychiatric techs, social workers, art therapists, unit secretaries, housekeepers, and other frontline staff.

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SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is a healthcare justice union of more than 100,000 healthcare workers, patients, and activists united to ensure affordable, accessible, high-quality care for all Californians, provided by valued and respected caregivers. Learn more at www.seiu-uhw.org.