HCA Workers Demand Higher Pay and Staffing Amid Record Profits 2026

HCA Healthcare workers are demanding higher pay and increased staffing amid the company's billions in profits, highlighting a growing crisis in hospital labor relations. Unionized employees across the U.S. are holding picket protests to push for a $25 an hour minimum wage, improved benefits, and better working conditions.

Why HCA Workers Are Protesting

HCA Healthcare, the largest for-profit hospital system in the U.S., employs over 300,000 people. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) represents about 22,000 of these workers, who are currently in contract negotiations. Workers say their wages have not kept up with the cost of living, forcing many to make impossible choices between paying bills and buying groceries.

Esther Reyes, an environmental services technician at HCA's Las Palmas hospital in El Paso, Texas, earns $16.80 an hour. As a single mother of three, she struggles to cover basic necessities. "Sometimes I need to decide, maybe this month I pay the water bill, then another pay for gas, but most of the time I'm not able to pay for everything," Reyes said.

Record Profits vs. Stagnant Wages

HCA reported $6.8 billion in profits in 2025, a 17.8% increase from the previous year. The company also authorized a $10 billion stock buyback program in early 2026. Meanwhile, CEO Sam Hazen received over $26.5 million in total compensation—420 times the median employee pay of $62,955.

Workers argue that HCA can afford to invest in its workforce. They are asking for a pathway to a $25 hourly minimum wage, improved wage scales, and raises that match inflation. They also want paid vacation, sick time, and stronger job protections.

Staffing Shortages Affect Patient Care

Beyond pay, staffing levels are a major concern. Understaffed hospitals lead to burnout, higher turnover, and compromised patient safety. Workers say that adding more staff is essential to provide quality care. Picket protests are planned at over a dozen HCA hospitals in California, Texas, Nevada, and Florida.

Impact on Healthcare Industry

The HCA labor dispute reflects broader trends in healthcare. As hospital systems consolidate and prioritize profits, workers are increasingly organizing for better conditions. This fight could set a precedent for other healthcare employers across the country.

What Workers Want

• Pathway to $25/hour minimum wage
• Annual raises matching cost of living
• Increased staffing levels to ensure patient safety
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Stronger protections against retaliation

Key Takeaways

HCA workers are not just asking for a raise—they are demanding a fundamental change in how hospital profits are shared. With billions in earnings, the company has the resources to invest in its employees. The outcome of these negotiations could have lasting effects on healthcare labor standards.

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