Dozens of Bargaining Committee members from 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East have shared how the affordability crisis in Florida is impacting healthcare workers, as well as serious concerns with AI overreach, in multiple rounds of contract negotiations since they began April 2 with 19 HCA hospitals across the state.

Key overall bargaining goals include pay raises to keep pace with skyrocketing living costs, and wage scales that reward experience.  Contract demands will also address safe staffing levels to protect worker safety and quality patient care.

Early negotiating sessions focused on staffing and scheduling issues being caused by HCA’s AI-based scheduling system Timpani. Workers are being denying paid time off (PTO), the system is not honoring preferences, scheduling is changed and in conflict with personal responsibilities and appointments, workers are being taken off the schedule with loss of wages, discipline occurrences are being given with little to no awareness from management. Bargaining Committee members submitted six pages of contract proposals about Timpani to HCA management and read aloud numerous co-worker text messages highlighting Timpani problems, all while surrounded by solidarity photos displayed in the negotiation room.

The Timpani system was co-developed by Palantir, a company run by tech billionaires that has been involved in efforts to conduct mass surveillance on individuals across the country. Billionaires are exploiting working people to make more money for themselves while workers struggle to use the system, defend themselves and take care of their families.

HCA is the largest for-profit hospital chain in the nation, reporting more than $75 billion in revenue during 2025, and paying top executives nearly $50 million dollars each year.

“Workers like me are struggling to pay our skyrocketing bills here in Florida, from housing to gas to food and so much more,” said Karlie Cole, a patient care technician (PCT) at HCA Florida Northside Hospital. “The company takes billions in profits, and we’re fighting for a strong new contract that will protect us and pay us fairly. We’re the ones who provide the care to patients, keep the hospitals clean and the facilities running.” 

DeQuasia Canales, 1199SEIU Acting Executive Vice President, and lead negotiator for the new HCA contract, congratulated the Bargaining Committee for developing a strategic plan and delivering compelling points to HCA, and urged more workers to join the effort. “Standing together smart and strong is the only way workers will win a fair contract with a giant corporation,” Canales said. “And our collective voice will be that much more powerful with each person who joins in.”

Contact your 1199SEIU organizer to attend contract negotiations on June 9 and/or July 1 as the committee begins contract negotiations regarding wages.

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