Dear Colleagues,

As you know, we have been notified by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE), and the California Nurses Association (CNA), that they will strike, or participate in a sympathy strike, at UCSF and across the University of California (UC) during the week of May 7. I want to update you on some of the actions we are taking to ensure the safe care of our patients.  

We recognize that the next few weeks will be disruptive to our patients, as well as staff and caregivers. We will not compromise on our commitment to providing safe care, even if that means rescheduling treatments and procedures. As examples:

• We are rescheduling all surgeries for the operating rooms at Mission Bay and Parnassus, as well as some cases at the Orthopedic Institute, for May 7-9. We will not schedule new patients for surgery during the days of the planned strike.
• We are delaying elective hospital admissions.
• We have more than 500 infusion appointments scheduled for our adult cancer patients, and we are working closely with their physicians to reschedule many patients whose treatment can be delayed or moved.
• UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco is managing its current patient census and accepting urgent transports on a case-by-case basis.
• Our Emergency Departments will remain open.
• Most ambulatory clinics will remain open during the strike. Clinics that perform procedures will be rescheduling those patients.
• We are reaching out to patients to explain the situation and determine the best course of action for each of them. Our affiliates have been notified that UCSF Health patients may be sent to them for some services, such as lab tests. We also are hiring well-qualified temporary workers where available and appropriate.

Because of the potential negative impact a strike would have on our patients, UC is seeking a restraining order to preclude some essential patient care employees from striking. You can read more about the negotiations and labor updates at intheknow.ucsf.edu.

This will be a challenging time for all of us, and I appreciate your professionalism throughout the process. I ask everyone to 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