Riverside hospital nurses launch 10-day strike over staffing concerns, PPE needs, patient safety

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RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Nurses at Riverside Community Hospital launched a 10-day strike Friday over concerns of being understaffed and a lack of PPE as coronavirus cases spike in Southern California.

The strike began at 8 a.m. Friday as registered nurses chanted outside the hospital located at the intersection of 14th Street and Magnolia Avenue.

Union representative said the 10-day strike, ending July 5, will include daily picketing from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nurses were set to be joined by community leaders and elected officials.

Nurses strike in Riverside

A group of nurses were striking in Riverside Friday in hopes to get more staffing and PPE during the coronavirus crisis.

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Nurses said new procedures were implemented at the hospital last year to address staffing needs and to eliminate many of its “unsafe practices.” However, in the midst of the pandemic, the hospital decided to end that agreement.

Nurses also said they are not only picketing to address staffing concerns but also for an adequate amount of PPE for all medical staff and for patient safety.