The California Nurses Association (CNA) publicly called for the resignation of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West President Dave Regan on September 11, 2026, citing recent media allegations that he engaged in inappropriate, aggressive and threatening behavior toward other labor staff. CNA Executive Director Puneet Maharaj said Regan’s conduct is incompatible with the standards expected of labor leadership and demanded that he step down immediately.
Maharaj framed the call for resignation in terms of principles and leadership. She said the labor movement needs leaders who model a just and caring society, especially during what she described as an existential working-class fight against the Trump administration, wealthy interests, and aligned employers. Maharaj also noted that, because CNA primarily organizes and represents women and works to develop women leaders, allegations of misogynist behavior are particularly troubling.
CNA’s statement followed reporting in the San Francisco Chronicle on September 11, 2026. The Chronicle quoted multiple sources and reported that Regan allegedly “bullied, intimidated and attempted to extort fellow labor leaders” in his efforts to marshal support for Proposition 40, described in coverage as a billionaire tax initiative. The newspaper said it concluded from its investigation that Regan sought to extort an endorsement for the measure from the SEIU State Council and that he attempted to defame and bullied Tia Orr, SEIU’s executive director.
The Chronicle story also recounted earlier episodes that the newspaper described as a pattern of physical harassment. One cited incident from 2009 reportedly involved Regan confronting a top SEIU state official over a prior ballot measure, including kicking in her office door and physically jacking her against the wall, according to the Chronicle’s account.
Beyond the allegations of personal misconduct, CNA reiterated long-standing policy differences with Regan. The union said Regan has been involved in political deals with employers that CNA views as undermining important patient protections and workplace safeguards. Specifically, CNA pointed to agreements that it says sought to reduce aspects of California’s safe staffing law and to roll back requirements for upgraded hospital seismic safety standards.
Maharaj said those deals reflected Regan’s tendency to prioritize narrow self-interest even when such actions posed risks to patients and other health care workers. She argued that when political choices are combined with allegations of bullying, intimidation and physical aggression, the record is reason enough for his removal.
CNA said it endorses a statement issued by SEIU California that reaffirmed a commitment to respect, fairness, gender equity and racial justice. In a social media post quoted by CNA, SEIU California wrote that the movement is bigger than any one person and emphasized the work of millions of workers to build power, provide for their families, and improve conditions.
The CNA release also reported that other groups in the California labor movement were preparing similar statements in response to the Chronicle reporting, though CNA did not list specific organizations or include full texts of those statements in its release.
CNA framed the issue as more than a personnel matter. The union argued that leadership conduct and political decisions by major labor figures can have direct consequences for patient safety and workplace protections. CNA identified two policy areas — safe staffing ratios and hospital seismic safety standards — where it says Regan’s approach diverged from the priorities CNA pursues on behalf of nurses and patients.
The union’s criticism suggests concern that political strategies and deals made by powerful union leaders can undermine workplace standards that affect both nursing staff and patient care. CNA’s public demand for resignation links those policy disputes to the reported personal behavior, asserting that both elements together justify immediate action.
CNA’s release centers on the Chronicle’s reporting; it quotes and responds to that coverage but does not provide independent investigative details beyond those cited from the newspaper. The Chronicle account attributed allegations to multiple sources and referenced earlier incidents dating back to 2009. CNA noted historical disagreements with Regan over political deals but did not provide documentary evidence of the alleged past physical incidents in its statement.
CNA demanded that Regan step down immediately. The union also said it stands with SEIU California’s call for respect and equity within the labor movement. CNA did not outline specific next steps beyond the call for resignation or provide a timetable for further actions.
The San Francisco Chronicle report and subsequent CNA statement indicate the issue is likely to provoke additional statements from other labor organizations; CNA reported that others in the California labor movement were preparing similar responses. CNA’s release did not detail whether it or other unions plan formal inquiries, legal action, or internal processes in response to the allegations.
CNA noted in its release that California Nurses Association/National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States. The release said the combined organizations represent more than 100,000 members in over 200 facilities throughout California and more than 225,000 registered nurses nationwide.
For media and public inquiries, CNA included contact information for National Nurses United in its release, including an address in Silver Spring, Maryland, phone and fax numbers, and email addresses for general and press contact.
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