Sequoia Hospital workers go on strike

Sequoia Hospital at 170 Alameda de las Pulgas in Redwood City. Photo from the hospital's website.

Hundreds of workers at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City went out on strike today (July 18), calling for higher wages and a new contract.

The strike comes two months after Stanford Hospital employees left their jobs for a week, seeking better wages, benefits and more workers to address labor shortfalls. That strike ended April 30 with a new contract.

Nurses assistants, aides, surgical technologists, respiratory therapists, cooks and others took part in the demonstration, according to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 829.

Sequoia Hospital is owned by Dignity Health. Contract negotiations are on-going. Union members want higher wages, more benefits and better working conditions, according to the union.

The strike was authorized on July 7 when 95% of union members voted to take action, according to the union. — Bay City News