Nurses from Corpus Christi Medical Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, will hold an informational picket on Aug. 12 to protest the administration’s refusal to address RNs’ deep concerns about safe staffing and patient care. Corpus Christi nurses are represented by National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU) in ongoing contract negotiations, and they have been at the bargaining table negotiating a new contract with HCA since May 2024 with little to no movement on key issues.

• Who:     Registered nurses at Corpus Christi Medical Center
• What:    Informational picket for patient safety and a fair contract
• When:   Monday, Aug. 12, starting at 6:30 p.m.
• Where:  3315 S. Alameda St., Corpus Christi, Texas; in front of Doctors Regional hospital

“Nurses are fighting for our patients,” said Pauli Hirvasoja, RN. “It’s common sense: When we have more nurses, we can all take better care of people. That’s because nurses put patients first. We want HCA to put our patients first, too, so that’s why we’re letting the public know about our serious issues with staffing at our facilities.”

The RNs urge management to agree to a contract that:

• Provides safe staffing in every unit on every shift to ensure high-quality patient care.
• Guarantees that nurses’ patients are cared for while they take meal and rest breaks.
• Empowers nurse recruitment and retention in an area with a high cost of living.

“Safe staffing is the number one way to improve patient care and nurses’ working conditions,” said Sylvia Higgins, RN. “We’re going to hold this informational picket to let our community know what we’re fighting for and why it matters for them.”

Nurses notified their employer of their intent to hold an informational picket on Aug. 1. Their most recent contract, ratified in 2021, expired on June 30, 2024. NNOC/NNU represents roughly 700 nurses at CCMC, including at Bay Area Medical Center, Doctors Regional Medical Center, Bayview Medical Center, Northshore Emergency Center, ER 24/7 Northwest, and ER 24/7 Rockport. NNOC/NNU represents more than 10,000 nurses at HCA facilities nationwide.

National Nurses Organizing Committee is an affiliate of National Nurses United, the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with nearly 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates also include California Nurses Association, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.