MILLBRAE — Continued labor disputes at Emmanuel Convalescent Hospital have prompted San Mateo County Supervisor Mark Church to call for an investigation.

In a letter sent April 30 to the state Department of Public Health's licensing and certification division, Church urged the agency not to grant the facility a one-year license because of the employer's questionable track record.

The nursing home's six-month provisional license expires June 5.

"It's a pretty drastic step," said Mason Stockstill, spokesman for SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West, a state arm of the Service Employees International Union, referring to Church's request. "But it's important that the residents of this home, and the entire community, know that the nursing home needs to be operated by an owner who will make sure everything is done to protect the residents' quality of care."

Health department spokeswoman Lea Brooks said Church's letter is under review. The department will conduct a full inspection of the facility within 30 days of the provisional license's expiration date, she said. Inspections are unannounced.

Under state law, if the hospital meets all the requirements, a one-year license will be issued. If it does not meet all the requirements, but has made substantial progress, another six-month provisional licence will be given. If there has not been substantial progress, or if there has been a lack of full compliance, a license will not be

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issued.

The union waged a 24-hour strike in February at the 140-bed nursing home, accusing the owners, Amparo and Carlos Ragudo of A&C Health Care Services, of unfair labor practices. Stockstill said the couple fired eight union activists without just cause and reduced the caregivers' health, retirement and other benefits.

Amparo Ragudo denied the allegations and claimed the workers were fired because they violated residents' rights.

"We were trying to protect the residents because of the employees' wrongdoings," Ragudo said Thursday. "We're trying to do our job."

In his letter, Church said the department should consider looking for other nursing home operators for the Millbrae facility. The nursing home failed to ensure a minimum of 3.2 nursing hours per patient day on six occasions, according to state health officials.

The couple also owns Camden Convalescent Hospital in Campbell and Arbor Convalescent Hospital in Lodi. Church said both those facilities have been cited for high numbers of deficiencies during state surveys.

Stockstill said he hopes the union won't have to call another strike.

"The employers haven't shown any indication that they are going to change their pattern of delaying and stalling to avoid to coming to a reasonable solution," he said.

Staff writer Christine Morente covers faith, families and North County. She can be reached at 650-348-4333 or cmorente@bayareanewsgroup.com.