FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 4, 2025

CALIFORNIA — Dialysis caregivers at 31 clinics across California will hold a one-day informational picket on Wednesday, August 6, to demand a fair contract and draw attention to worsening conditions in dialysis care. Workers at Fresenius Kidney Care, Satellite Healthcare and U.S. Renal say the companies are bargaining in bad faith, dragging out negotiations and refusing to address critical issues affecting patients and frontline healthcare workers.

“For years, we’ve been fighting to settle a contract that protects patients and respects caregivers,” said Christine Delara a Registered Nurse at U.S. Renal. “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!”

Since 2022, dialysis workers across the state have been voting to unionize with SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) to improve working conditions in the industry. They are the first groups of unionized dialysis clinic workers in California and have led historic actions to push back against illegal union-busting and retaliation by dialysis corporations.

In 2023, Fresenius and Satellite Healthcare caregivers went on strike to protest unfair labor practices and demand accountability from their employers. In 2024, U.S. Renal and DaVita workers joined a second set of 6-day strikes. Workers continue to call on the companies to listen to the frontline dialysis caregivers and settle a fair contract that ensures better working conditions and allows them to provide the best patient care possible.

SEIU-UHW represents more than 700 dialysis caregivers at Fresenius, Satellite Healthcare and U.S. Renal in various job classes, including registered nurses, patient care technicians, licensed vocational nurses, certified clinical hemodialysis technicians, dietitians, social workers, clinical administrative coordinators, and receptionists.

Primary Picket Locations and Times:

Satellite Healthcare Blossom Valley

1450 Kooser Rd, San Jose, 95118

12:00-1:00 PM

Fresenius Kidney Care Fletcher Parkway

858 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon 92020

12:00-1:00 PM

Fresenius Kidney Care Juniper Fontana

10557 Juniper Ave., Ste. A, Fontana, 92337

12:00-1:00 PM

For a full list of locations, please contact media relations.

MEDIA CONTACT:
[email protected]

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SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is a healthcare justice union of more than 120,000 healthcare workers, patients, and healthcare activists united to ensure affordable, accessible, high-quality care for all Californians provided by valued and respected healthcare workers. Learn more at www.seiu-uhw.org.