Caregivers at Hospice East Bay, an established hospice facility in Pleasant Hill, initiated a one-day strike due to frustrations over union contract negotiations lasting nearly two years. Workers expressed that their proposal to maintain existing benefits was rejected, raising concerns about worsening conditions. Reports highlighted a decline in care since 2023, attributed to increased caseloads for staff. Experts emphasized the correlation between improved worker conditions and patient care quality, noting that adequate wages and consistent staffing enhance care standards. Management acknowledged financial challenges impacting operational decisions, including layoffs of musical therapists.
"For example, we proposed to keep our benefits the same as they are now. We just wanted them protected under a contract," Tobin said. "[Hospice East Bay] said no, they want the right to make them worse. And so, that's been really shocking and disappointing."
Better conditions for workers, Lucia added, do affect patient experience. "There is research from other health care sectors that's shown that adequate wages are an important component of retaining health care workers...and there is research showing the importance of adequate and consistent staffing to patients having good quality of care."
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