as abc 7 news reporter wayne freeman found out there is very little movement at a time we need hospitalsore than ever. >> reporter: it is the inconvenient strike that surprised no one. >> it honestly is a last resort. this is not -- we don't want to be out here. >> reporter: some 700 support staff and technicians from providence santa rosa memorial hospital hit the street for a preannounced five-day strike after one year without a contract. >> we know that we have a fair and competitive offer on the table. >> reporter: they're sitting on $12 billion in cash before covid. >> reporter: optically the strike could not come at a worst time for the hospital or the union. sonoma county has had 2,100 cases of covid-19 and 20 deaths. >> we held the strike vote in early february and we were going to go out. then covid hit. >> reporter: so the union says their members kept working. they claimed the hospital wants to drastically increase the cost of health insurance while they would lose paid sick time. they want more protection. >> we have housekeeping staff that are having to clean covid patients'