OAKLAND, Calif. – Dialysis workers at Satellite Healthcare clinics across California have voted to authorize a strike over unfair labor practices, following the company’s continued use of illegal union-busting tactics and failure to address unsafe working conditions. The workers at 15 clinics overwhelmingly approved the strike with a 98% vote in support.

The decision to authorize a strike highlights the growing frustration among frontline dialysis caregivers who say their rights and voices are being ignored. Despite repeated efforts to negotiate improvements, caregivers say management has left them with no choice but to take action to protect both themselves and their patients. It has now been 35 months since the first Satellite workers voted to unionize in December 2022, yet caregivers say little progress has been made toward achieving a fair contract.  

“We don’t want to strike, but we have no other choice. Many of us are working two jobs or picking up extra shifts and taking on 15- to 16-hour shifts just to pay our bills or make up for short staffing at our clinics. It’s not safe for us or our patients,” said Michael Badilla, a certified clinical hemodialysis technician at Satellite Gilroy. “We are demanding a voice in our working conditions and how our patients are being treated because somebody has to hold Satellite accountable.”

These caregivers are among the first groups of unionized dialysis clinic workers in California and have led historic actions to stand up against illegal union-busting and retaliation by dialysis corporations. In 2023 and 2024, Satellite Healthcare caregivers went on strike to protest unfair labor practices and demand accountability from their employer. Workers continue to call on the company to listen to frontline caregivers and settle a fair contract that ensures safe staffing, fair pay, and high-quality patient care.

SEIU-UHW represents dialysis caregivers 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.