NAPA VALLEY, CA — Registered nurses at Adventist Health St. Helena voted overwhelmingly this week to join the California Nurses Association, saying union representation will strengthen their ability to advocate for patients, improve staffing, and retain experienced nurses.
The National Labor Relations Board conducted the election and completed the vote count Thursday. According to the California Nurses Association, approximately 250 registered nurses voted to join the union.
Nurses at the 150-bed hospital said they organized because they want a stronger voice in decisions affecting patient care and working conditions.
"The nurses and patients of St. Helena are my community," said Mark Gonzalez, a registered nurse in the intensive care unit.
"We need a union so we have a voice to advocate for our patients and to ensure that Adventist administration invests its profits back into our hospital. We are only asking for what's right, like safe staffing and adequate supplies and equipment. Our patients depend on it."
Supporters of the effort said improving recruitment and retaining experienced nurses are essential to maintaining high-quality patient care.
"It is so wonderful to welcome the nurses of Adventist St. Helena to the California Nurses Association family," said Sandy Reding, a registered nurse and president of the California Nurses Association.
"There is power when we stand together with our union siblings as we work to make our hospitals better for our patients. We know that collectively we can do great things and our patients will be the winners."
The vote adds Adventist Health St. Helena to a growing network of unionized Adventist Health facilities represented by the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United.
The CNA/National Nurses United Organizing Committee now represents more than 1,880 registered nurses at Adventist hospitals across California, including about 700 nurses at Adventist Health Rideout in Marysville, 400 at Adventist Health Lodi Memorial in Lodi, 300 at Adventist Health Sierra Vista in San Luis Obispo, and 230 at Adventist Health Twin Cities in Templeton.
Hospital officials had not publicly responded to the election results at the time the union announced the vote.
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