Anaheim, CA—Nurses at Anaheim Regional Medical Center celebrated last Tuesday, as they voted to join SEIU 121RN, a Union that represents 10,000 Nurses and Licensed Medical Professionals throughout Southern California, spread over four counties. Anaheim Regional is the first hospital represented by the union in Orange County. More than 300 registered nurses employed at the hospital will gain union representation for the first time.
Nurses said their decision to unionize was motivated by concerns over staffing, patient safety, nurse retention, and a lack of respect from management.
Mina Yango, a 37-year Anaheim Regional nurse who works in one of the hospital’s medical-surgical units, cast the vote as an important victory for both the nurses and their patients. “I’ve worked through a pandemic, nursing shortages, major changes to healthcare, and hospital ownership changes. Nurses deserve to have a voice, and our patients and community deserve to know that ARMC Nurses are fully empowered as patient advocates.”
The National Labor Relations Board will move to certify the vote if neither of the parties object to the results.
SEIU 121RN represents nurses at three other hospitals owned by Alhambra, CA-based AHMC, Anaheim Regional’s parent company. These include Garfield Medical Center in Monterey Park, CA, where nurses staged a 10-day strike in August 2023, Monterey Park Hospital, and Greater El Monte Community Hospital.
“As we welcome our first Orange County members to our ranks, we’re excited to expand our fight to raise standards for nurses and patients,” said SEIU 121RN President Leo Perez-Ferrer. “This is a win not only for nurses at Anaheim Regional, but also for 121RN members across AHMC, who gain a stronger voice, and for patients, who can count on more powerful patient advocacy” Perez-Ferrer said.
SEIU Local 121RN represents registered nurses and other healthcare professionals in California. This member-led organization is committed to supporting optimum working conditions that allow nurses to provide quality patient care and safety