Hundreds of unsatisfied healthcare workers at five hospitals through the state, including in Daly City, San Jose, Moss Beach and Gilroy, launched a 24-hour strike on Thursday against the Daughters of Charity Health System.

The health care workers at Seton Medical Center in Daly City, O'Connor Hospital in San Jose, Seton Coastside in Moss Beach and hospitals in Gilroy and Los Angeles said they want the Daughters of Charity to improve the quality of health care that patients receive and to stop unfair labour practices. Other unresolved issues include wages, benefits and employee involvement in staffing decisions.

“Unfortunately, Daughters of Charity has ignored our call to help improve patient care for several months,” said Velma Jones a Licensed Vocational Nurse at St. Francis Medical Center, according to the online edition of the Wall Street Journal. “We are on the picket line today to put our patients first. Frontline caregivers must continue to have a voice in staffing levels and medical treatment.”

The strike kicked off early Thursday morning and continued for 24-hours.

More than 2,400 caregivers represented by SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West have been in negotiations since March.

Striking employees included technical workers, nursing assistants, food service workers and other employees. One of the problems was that a number of employees represented by the union worked without a contract since the previous contract expired in April.

During the strike hospitals hired a number of workers to replace the missing ones.

No incidents were reported.