Nurses at Emanuel Medical Center, part of the Tenet Healthcare network, took to the streets Thursday evening as part of an “informational picket” to bring attention to their ongoing labor negotiations.

The California Nurses Association stressed that Thursday’s event was not a strike.

“We’re seeking improvements to patient safety related to safe staffing,” said Kristi Carson, an emergency room nurse at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, who formerly lived in Denair and worked at Emanuel. “It is our goal to resolve these issues at the bargaining table and move forward. But we will strike if it gets to that point. It’s really in the hands of Tenant.”

The union is seeking staffing improvements, including lift support so nurses can safely move patients, a rapid-response nurse scheduled on each shift to handle emergencies, a rest- and meal-break nurse schedule to relieve co-workers, and adequate orientation time for new graduates and nurses changing specialties.

Additionally, there’s a pay element included in the nurses’ demands, according to Carson.

The current two-year contract between the union and Tenet expired in February.

“We are currently involved in bargaining with the union and will continue to negotiate in good faith in hopes of reaching a successful contract,” Emanuel Medical Center said in a statement. “Our focus is on providing high quality healthcare to our community and a positive work environment for our employees.”

All told, about 120 nurses took part in the event in Turlock, with more participating at hospitals in Modesto, Manteca, San Ramon, Palm Springs, and Joshua Tree.

“Tenet nurses across California are fighting for their patients and their communities,” said Sandy Reding, a registered nurse and president of the CNA, which boasts about 3,000 members. “Union nurses across California stand in solidarity with their demands for appropriate staffing and training.”