FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 17, 2025

ORANGE, Calif. — Frontline caregivers at KPC Health’s Chapman Global Medical Center will hold an informational picket on Monday, Oct. 20, calling attention to chronic short staffing, unsafe working conditions, and management’s failure to address workers’ concerns during contract negotiations.

Respiratory therapists, emergency department technicians, and other essential caregivers say KPC’s cuts and understaffing are forcing them to take on multiple roles at once, jeopardizing patient care and burning out the staff who remain.

“In the emergency room, we’re expected to do many jobs, including vitals, EKGs, admissions, transfers, and even ordering supplies because there aren’t enough staff,” said Carolina Contreras, an ER Technician who has worked at Anaheim Global Medical Center for over 25 years. “We don’t have enough sitters to safely monitor patients in crisis, and we’ve seen preventable tragedies because of it. It’s not safe for patients, and it’s not fair to the people providing their care.” 

Frontline healthcare workers say the shortage of sitters and support staff has led to dangerous situations in the emergency department. KPC workers are demanding a fair contract that ensures safe staffing and respect for the essential workers who keep their hospitals running. 

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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.