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Workers, unions warn of cutbacks at Queen of the Valley; informational picket planned
Summary
Hospital laboratory staff and labor unions told the Napa County Board of Supervisors that Providence's restructuring threatens the hospital's outpatient lab capacity and staffing. Workers and unions urged the county to support efforts to maintain services and publicize an informational picket set for Feb. 12.
Workers at Queen of the Valley Medical Center and representatives from the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) and the Napa Solano Central Labor Council told the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 4 that staffing and service reductions announced by Providence could reduce local access to timely laboratory testing.
A lab employee identified as Dionne said the hospital’s outpatient lab—the only local lab performing many tests with rapid turnaround—was closed in March 2024 and the October 2024 restructuring notice could reduce staff from about 8 people across shifts to three, creating delays for stat tests used by emergency, ICU, cath lab and labor-and-delivery services. She said some outpatient blood draws are still available through commercial providers but an on-site lab is necessary for many urgent results.
Gordon Marr, a NUHW representative, and Glenn Lovell of the Napa Solano Central Labor Council said Providence has cut services across Northern California and has the financial resources to maintain services, and they urged county leaders to support caregivers. NUHW said workers are coordinating an informational picket at Queen of the Valley on Feb. 12 to raise public awareness.
Board response and limits: Supervisors expressed sympathy and thanked speakers for the information. County counsel clarified that the superior court and some other matters raised during public comment are outside the board’s jurisdiction; board members acknowledged they do not have direct control over hospital corporate decisions but said they appreciate being updated.
No formal board action was taken at the meeting; speakers asked the county to use whatever influence it has and to publicize the Feb. 12 informational picket.
Ending: Labor and worker representatives asked community members to attend the Feb. 12 informational picket at Queen of the Valley and asked the county to consider any appropriate avenues of support.
