The union representing 450 nurses at the West Anaheim Medical Center is planning a one-day strike Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Orange County facility.
A spokesman with the California Nurses Association / National Nurses United said the medical center began negotiations with the nurses’ union last year after a three-year contract expired in April 2025. The union went on strike over higher wages in August 2025 and again in February over concerns about patient care and recruitment of nurses.
“West Anaheim Medical Center has bargained in good faith with the union representing some of its nurses, with the goal of reaching an agreement that supports our employees while protecting our ability to provide safe, high-quality care to the patients and community we serve,” a Prime Healthcare spokesman wrote in a statement provided to the Southern California News Group. “West Anaheim Medical Center has already implemented wage increases that will provide millions of dollars in additional compensation to our nurses over the next three years.”
The spokesman said the wage increases, along with comprehensive benefits, have been included in proposals presented during negotiations.
“Despite these significant investments and continued efforts to reach an agreement, the union has elected to proceed with a strike. This decision is particularly concerning given the extraordinary demands currently being placed on healthcare providers,” he said. “Regardless of the union’s actions, the hospital will remain fully open and appropriately staffed with qualified healthcare professionals to ensure patients continue to receive safe, high-quality care.”
The latest work stoppage relates to allegations of “union busting and concerns about patient care and safe staffing” at four medical centers owned by Ontario-based Prime Healthcare Services in Anaheim, Chicago, Redding and Reno.
The one-day strike represents a combined 2,200 nurses working at all four centers.
The West Anaheim Medical Center is a 219-bed acute-care hospital that provides medical and surgical care, emergency services and diagnostic imaging.
Prime Healthcare owns 55 hospitals, 360 outpatient locations, and employs nearly 60,000 staff and physicians, according to the company’s website.