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County News Center | Office of Communications and Public Affairs
County News Center | Office of Communications and Public Affairs

Registered Nurses Professional Association (RNPA) Work Stoppage

The County of Santa Clara has received formal notice from the Registered Nurses Professional Association (RNPA) of its intent to go on strike beginning at 4:59 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2 through 6:59 a.m. on Friday, April 5. The County continues to negotiate in good faith with RNPA to reach a fair and competitive contract that also ensures the stability of the vital services that Santa Clara Valley Healthcare (SCVH) provides our community.

The County’s highest priority is to ensure patient safety and high-quality healthcare, and we are taking all necessary steps to safeguard patients, clients, employees, and visitors from the impacts of the labor action. Regular updates will be provided to the community on any disruptions to patient care.

Read the County's latest statement here. 

Frequently Asked Questions about the County's current negotiations with RNPA are available here. More details on the proposals are also available here. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The County and Registered Nurses Professional Association (RNPA) have been meeting and conferring for many months in an effort to reach agreement for a successor labor contract. 

The County will continue negotiating in good faith with RNPA, and it is still possible the parties will reach an agreement on a successor contract and avert a strike. The County hopes that RNPA will return to the table so that we can continue working towards reaching agreement on a fair, competitive, and sustainable contract.

RNPA has issued a formal notice of their intent to go on strike beginning at 4:59 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2 through 6:59 a.m. on Friday, April 5.

At this time, RNPA has not formally provided details about the exact location of the strike. However, it should be expected that RNPA will picket at each of the hospitals, and potentially any other County of Santa Clara Health System facility that is operating during the strike.

The County’s highest priority is ensuring patient safety and the maintenance of high-quality healthcare. The County may need to postpone appointments to the extent that doing so will not create an imminent threat to health and safety. Any activity, including union-related activity, that disrupts essential patient care by unlawfully causing distraction, impeding access, or otherwise interfering with the provision of medical services will not be permitted.

Surgeries that cannot be safely rescheduled will continue as planned. To the extent surgeries can be safely rescheduled, they may be postponed. Appropriate steps have been taken by the County to minimize interruptions to patient care.

All life-saving and critical care services will continue and many other services will proceed as scheduled. Santa Clara Valley Healthcare (SCVH) will directly contact patients if there is a service interruption regarding their care.

General questions should be directed to the specific hospital or clinic where your care originated. If your appointment, treatment or therapy is postponed, it will be rescheduled as soon as possible.