On Day 3 of the strike by members of SEIU-UHW, Cedars-Sinai's Chief Human Resources Officer, Andy Ortiz, provides an update on medical center operations and union negotiations. 

Newsroom: What is the status of negotiations with the SEIU-UHW? 
Ortiz: I'm pleased to report that the SEIU-UHW are back at the bargaining table. Both sides are engaged in positive, serious discussions, and we're making real progress. We're determined to reach a fair, mutually beneficial agreement so that we can reward our represented employees for the important roles that they play in helping the medical center serve the community. On one point, there is no disagreement: The safety and wellbeing of our patients and employees are sacred. We're committed to serving our community. Our patients and employees deserve nothing less. 

Newsroom: How is the strike affecting Cedars-Sinai Medical Center operations? 
Ortiz: We are well-staffed and fully operational thanks to the dedicated employees and supplemental workers who are stepping up in big ways to meet our patients' needs. Contingency plans are running as we'd hoped, and we're delivering uninterrupted care in the way that our patients expect. As an example, in the first two days of the strike, we've delivered 34 babies, performed 246 surgeries, cleaned 630 rooms and distributed nearly 5,500 meals to our patients. 

Newsroom: How are Cedars-Sinai Medical Center staff doing during the strike? 
Ortiz: First and foremost, we're grateful to our employees. Together, we are meeting this challenge and doing everything possible to serve our patients and to support one another. We're a mission-driven organization. And we share a united goal to do right by our patients, our community and our employees. To all of our staff members, thank you for showing up for your peers and the community. We remain united by our commitment to provide exceptional patient care. To the hundreds of supplemental workers who have joined us this week, thank you for stepping in and instantly contributing to our patient care mission. And of course, to our union-represented staff, thank you for the invaluable roles you play in this organization. Please know we respect the choices that you have made under these difficult circumstances and that we remain committed to reaching an agreement that truly rewards and reflects your skill, excellence and dedication.

Newsroom: What is Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's record on quality of patient care? 
Ortiz: Cedars-Sinai is one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation. We are one of the top 10 hospitals in the nation, consistently earning a spot on the Honor Roll of the US News and World Report's Best Hospitals. We have earned five stars from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the government's highest rating and an honor earned by only a fraction of U.S. hospitals. And we are one of only two hospitals in the western U.S. to receive the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Designation five consecutive times. We have our employees to thank for these achievements,  for their dedication and commitment to make Cedars-Sinai great. That is why we have put forward a strong economic proposal that rewards our valued represented employees with market-leading pay, including substantial pay increases. These employees deserve our admiration and gratitude for their hard work, excellent performance and dedication to the community. We remain committed to them, and we look forward to welcoming them back soon.