Nurses at Alhambra Hospital Medical Center in Alhambra, California, will hold an informational picket on Wednesday, April 23, to protest the administration’s refusal to address RNs’ deep concerns about patient care, safe staffing, and bargaining a fair contract, announced California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU).

Nurses notified their employer on April 11 that they would hold an informational picket. Alhambra Hospital Medical Center nurses have been in negotiations since August 2024 for a new contract with little to no movement on key issues. The RNs’ contract expired on March 31, 2025.

Earlier this year, management eliminated EKG technicians, resulting in nurses performing this additional duty when they should be caring for their patients. This can lead to longer wait times in the emergency department and unsafe patient care. Due to short staffing, nurses are also missing meal and rest breaks. RNs are fighting for a resource nurse who can not only help with break relief but can also help support staffing needs.

“When we are at full capacity with patient care, we often cannot take a break for a meal or to just take a 10-minute break,” said Jacky Reyna, RN and nurse representative in the medical-surgical unit at Alhambra Hospital Medical Center. “Having a resource nurse would help all units so nurses can be guaranteed break coverage. A well-rested nurse is important to providing safe patient care.”

Who: Registered nurses at Alhambra Hospital Medical Center
What: Informational picket for patient safety and a fair contract
When: Wednesday, April 23, 6:30 a.m.­–8:00 a.m.
Where: Alhambra Hospital Medical Center, 100 S. Raymond Ave, Alhambra, California, outside the main entrance and ED driveway

The RNs urge management to invest in nursing staff and agree to a contract that provides:

• Safe staffing and improvements for nurse recruitment and retention
• Resource nurses to cover meal and rest break coverage and support staffing needs
• Access to units and staff lounges for union representative to enforce the collective bargaining agreement

“Patient advocacy is always at the heart of our work as registered nurses,” said Farah Gerami, RN in the emergency department at Alhambra Hospital Medical Center. “Providing our patients with the best care includes speaking up for those who can’t. We are fighting for a fair contract because we care about our patients and our community. A fair contract will protect our patients and my colleagues.”

California Nurses Association represents nearly 170 nurses at Alhambra Hospital Medical Center.

California Nurses Association/National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the nation with more than 100,000 members in more than 200 facilities throughout California and more than 225,000 RNs nationwide.