Dear Colleagues,

We are in day two of a three-day strike at UCSF, and I want to provide an update on the situation at our clinical enterprise.

This labor action continues to be highly disruptive to our patients and their families. To date, more than 12,000 appointments have been rescheduled over the last week in areas such as cancer, radiology and surgery. All elective procedures have been delayed. Some patients with critical needs are being directed to affiliates, such as St. Mary’s Medical Center in San Francisco and John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. Our Emergency Departments remain open. We also have transferred a few pediatric patients to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland.

To ensure safe care for the patients who are at UCSF Health this week, we had reduced our hospital census by 35 percent. We have been able to move forward with care for those who need it most, including a few urgent surgeries and a liver transplant at our Parnassus hospital. Thanks to you, despite the challenges, yesterday went well.

Additionally, a Sacramento Superior Court judge on Friday issued a temporary restraining order that required approximately 220 selected employees in particular job titles to work in the interest of public health and safety. The positions include clinical lab scientists, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, radiation therapists, nurses in hematology/oncology (adults & pediatric) and highly specialized pediatric nurses.

On behalf of the entire leadership team at UCSF Health, my immense gratitude to all of you. This includes clinicians and staff who are making sure our patients are receiving the highest level of care during a stressful period.

I also want to recognize the hundreds of people who turned out over the weekend, including night shifts, to help us plan for and manage this three-day labor action. These volunteers - including staff and clinicians, plus their partners and spouses - from the campus and UCSF Health helped support the orientation of replacement workers who have been deployed to fill gaps on certain units.

You can read more about the negotiations and labor updates at intheknow.ucsf.edu.

Your support and professionalism are appreciated. Please continue to make the interests of our patients, the people who put their lives and well-being in our hands every day, your first priority.

Sheila Antrum
Senior Vice President
Chief Operating Officer
UCSF Health