On Monday night, August 11, 2025, the Culver City Council passed a resolution affirming the City’s commitment to protecting frontline healthcare workers’ jobs and quality patient care at Southern California Hospital at Culver City.
The resolution comes amid ongoing bankruptcy proceedings by the hospital’s corporate owner, raising concerns about the future of hundreds of healthcare workers, and the community’s only hospital. The Southern California Healthcare System filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections in Texas on January 12, 2025, and the case is still in process. The hospitals named in this proceeding include Southern California Hospital at Hollywood, Southern California Hospital at Van Nuys, and Southern California Hospital at Culver City.
“Bankruptcy proceedings can be unpredictable, and workers shouldn’t be left in limbo about their patients, jobs, benefits, and the future of their hospital,” said LaRhonda Smith, a healthcare worker at Southern California Hospital at Culver City. “This resolution tells the community and hospital executives that Culver City stands with its healthcare workers.”
The resolution on Monday night saw a number of comments from the podium, with many of the employees at the hospital asking the council for support. The likely sale of the hospital and/or the property is sits on won’t be known until bankruptcy is completed.
Mayor Dan O’Brien, who began by identifying as a union member, (O’Brien works in the film industry as an editor, and is a member of National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, Local 53) stated at the meeting that he felt that it was not appropriate “for the city to insert itself into this…I don’t know the inner workings of the hospital..and I don’t know what the leadership has done…[as far as] transparent negotiations with the workers.”
There have been many occasions when the hospital workers have addressed the council, looking for various levels of support. If or how much the council should weigh in on policies at the hospital has fluctuated wildly, depending on the make-up of the council.
According to a statement released by SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, “The urgency of the measure is heightened by lessons from nearby communities. In Lynwood, when Prime Healthcare purchased St. Francis, according to the terms set by the Attorney General, they committed to hiring a “majority” of workers. With “majority” undefined in the contract, 300 workers were still laid off. Because St. Francis was acquired from a bankruptcy, Prime was permitted to renegotiate the contract, which occurred. Workers at Southern California Hospital at Culver City fear similar scenarios if the facility changes ownership.”
While the first vote failed, an amended motion passed, including the language “Whereas, Southern California Hospital cares about patient care, working conditions and union jobs, this resolution is important if the hospital sells.”
The vote was three to two, with Vice Mayor Freddy Puza, Council member Yasmine Imani McMorrin, and Council member Bubba Fish all voting “Aye.” Both Mayor O’Brien and Council member Albert Vera, Jr., abstained.
Judith Martin-Straw
