Petaluma and Santa Rosa hospice workers kick off 2-day strike against Providence

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Nearly 100 hospice workers and supporters protested in Petaluma and Santa Rosa on Wednesday as part of a two-day strike against what they call bad-faith bargaining with Providence as the health care giant joins forces with a private equity-backed hospice company.

The hospice workers, who are represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers, said they’ve been locked in negotiations for their first contract for two years and are frustrated with Providence’s “stalling.” They accuse the health care provider of not wanting to settle their contract while it works on a joint venture with a for-profit company.

Petaluma night nurse Kristina Nauheimer said Providence has provided “little transparency” on what the joint venture with Ohio-based Compassus will look like, saying that topic has been “at the forefront during bargaining sessions.”

Nauheimer joined the picket line after clocking out at 8 a.m.

from an overnight shift. She was among about two dozen workers gathered at the corner of East Washington and Payran streets, and in front of the Providence Hospice of Petaluma facility a few blocks south.

“They’ve not once brought any concessions, any meaningful dialogue. Their representative attorney often just leaves in a huff and says ‘we’re going to close door’ and they go away for more than two hours. Meanwhile, our staff have taken paid time off to be there to do bargaining,” said Sandra Hearst, a Petaluma hospice nurse for over six years, from the picket line in Petaluma.

Providence, a nonprofit, faith-based health care system, operates hospice care facilities in Petaluma and Santa Rosa as well as four hospitals in Sonoma and Napa counties. Its representatives say it remains “more than willing” to reach an agreement with the union but that the union has stalled negotiations.

Mary Beth Walker, communications director of Providence Home and Community Care, said Providence hopes its joint venture with Compassus, a private-equity-owned company, will grow its in-home care service in a partnership with a “like-minded operator.”

While the union and Providence have passed “multiple proposals” in the 37 times they’ve met over the last 23 months, “the union continues to hold firm on their previous points, affording little progress,” Walker said.

Providence is seeking to jointly own hospice, home health and long-term care with Compassus while the partner company will oversee those operations, according to a union press release.

But “the topic of the 50-50 joint venture with Compassus hasn’t been a point of discussion at the bargaining table,” Walker said. “It wasn’t until after receiving the union’s intent-to-strike notice that we were made aware of the union’s position regarding the joint venture.”

In Petaluma on Wednesday morning, hospice workers — nurses, social workers, home health aides, chaplains and more — held signs that read “Support Your Hospice Angels,” “Unfair Labor Practice Strike,” and “Support Hospice of Petaluma,” as passing cars honked and people waved. Other supporters in Petaluma included Council member Janice Cader Thompson and Iliana Madrigal from the North Bay Labor Council, the largest local labor coalition.

Nauheimer, the night nurse, was among those who voiced worries the transition to a for-profit model in hospice would mean more focus on profit margins, with bigger caseloads and less time spent with ailing patients and families in what she called a “scary” and “sacred” time.

That work involves “being present to provide listening and emotional support before you can shift into the practical support ... it’s very hard for families. It’s hard enough emotionally, and we’re there to do the practical pieces as well,” Hearst said.

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Hospice workers are in negotiations with Providence while also calling attention to the health care giant’s transition to a for-profit model for hospice.

This “sacred work cannot be rushed,” Nauheimer said.

In Santa Rosa, about 50 striking hospice workers and their supporters picketed in front of the Providence hospice facility on College Avenue. Their pro-union chants were met with sympathetic honks from motorists driving on the busy street.

The group held a noon rally that featured a number of speakers, including Santa Rosa City Council member Natalie Rogers, Rohnert Park City Council member Jackie Elward and well-known Sonoma County community activists Alicia Sanchez and Susan Collier Lamont.

Striking hospice workers in both cities urged Providence to complete labor negotiations before the deal with Compassus is finalized.

Providence said this week that its “goal has always been” to reach an agreement with the union before the joint venture closes.

“Assuming that happens, when the transaction closes, Compassus will honor the terms of the collective bargaining agreement and assume the agency’s daily operations,” Providence said in a statement.

But North Bay Labor Council Executive Director Jack Buckhorn, who attended the Santa Rosa rally, accused Providence of dragging its feet on a labor agreement to secure a better deal with Compassus. He said he feared wages and working conditions will be more difficult to negotiate once the joint venture is in place.

Camille Brody, a hospice team nurse, said she feared a profit-driven joint venture would lead to deteriorating care, meaning less time spent with patients and families, as well as less time collaborating with other health caregivers.

Brody, who is not part of the union negotiating team but has sat in on negotiations, said Providence appears unwilling to negotiate. “Our Bargaining committee and union reps have been very professional and reasonable but we haven’t been met with the same presence,” she said.

As workers strike through 8 a.m. on July 4, Providence said it has a “contingency plan” in place.

“We are grateful to the many NUHW-represented hospice caregivers who chose to come to work today to care for our patients,” Walker wrote. “Hospice leaders are committed to ensuring our patients receive the care they deserve and are out in the field making patient visits and team members are supporting new patient admissions.”

You can reach Staff Writer Jennifer Sawhney at 707-521-5346 or jennifer.sawhney@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @sawhney_media.

You can reach Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at 707-521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @pressreno.