Prime Healthcare CEO Alleges Nurses Union Targeted Family Homes in Harassment Campaign

Prime Healthcare CEO Dr. Prem Reddy alleges that the California Nurses Association (CNA) and National Nurses United (NNU) engaged in a menacing campaign that targeted his family and other executives' homes in Los Angeles' affluent Brentwood neighborhood. Reddy claims the unions escalated a labor dispute beyond lawful protest into harassment by distributing fliers that encouraged the public to locate and confront executives, warning them they "can’t hide."

The lawsuit, filed by Prime Healthcare, seeks a temporary restraining order and injunctions against the unions. It alleges that union activists posted fliers featuring aerial photographs, property details, and other information about executives’ private residences. Banners and signs were reportedly attached to telephone poles, streetlights, trees, and private vehicles.

According to the complaint, the campaign caused distress to the families involved, leading to young children being kept indoors and restricted from playing in their yards due to safety concerns. Prime Healthcare, one of the nation's largest health systems operating 51 hospitals across 14 states with 60,000 employees and affiliated physicians, generates approximately $7.4 billion in annual revenue.

The alleged intimidation campaign began on September 3, when union activists reportedly targeted the Brentwood neighborhood where members of Reddy's family, including his daughter Sunitha Reddy, Prime's chief revenue officer and vice president of operations, and company president and chief medical officer Dr. Sunny Bhatia, reside. Reddy himself does not live in Brentwood but is connected to the community through family members there.

Fliers reportedly headlined "Where in the World is Dr. Reddy?" urged the public to "track down" the billionaire healthcare executive. The materials included images and specific details about at least three executives' homes. Prime claims it took hours to remove banners and clean up litter left in the neighborhood. The company also stated that the materials were particularly distressing as they appeared near executives' homes and a local school, where children witnessed the activity.

Prime alleges the union's objective was "to inflict stress on the families of Prime Healthcare executives" to gain leverage in labor negotiations. The company claims it sent a cease-and-desist letter to the union on September 9, demanding an end to the residential targeting. However, according to the lawsuit, a union attorney allegedly suggested that the targeting could cease if Reddy agreed to meet with the union, an action Prime's lawyers described as "tantamount to economic extortion."

Prime also reported the alleged harassment to the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles City Council but claims no response was received. The dispute intensified when Bryant Aguilar, a CNA representative, allegedly sent a message calling for nurses to rally in Reddy's neighborhood on September 11. The message, according to the lawsuit, stated, "We will be joining together in Dr. Reddy’s neighborhood and rally near his residence."

Prime is requesting a judge to prohibit the unions from alleged harassment and intimidation tactics around executives' homes and families, including targeted picketing within 300 feet of their residences and the placement of unpermitted banners or signs. The company is also seeking nominal and punitive damages. The California Nurses Association was contacted for comment, and the union posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) of members protesting, stating, "Nurses across the country are rising up systemwide against Prime Healthcare because Prime endangers patients and nurses by putting profits above all else."