Nurses plan first-ever strike at Rady Children’s Hospital

For the first time in history, nurses at Rady Children’s Hospital have voted to strike. After months of fruitless negotiations, the United Nurses of Children’s Hospital (UNOCH) union has authorized a 48-hour strike at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, beginning July 22, if the hospital does not agree to the terms of the tentative agreement. The main sticking point revolves around pay raises. The union is demanding significant increases over three years, while the hospital’s offer falls short of its expectations.

According to the UNOCH website, the proposed across-the-board salary increases total 16% over the next three years (8% in the first year, 4% in the second year and 4% in the third year). In addition to these increases, annual incremental increases are also foreseen, resulting in:

• Nurses who receive three annual pay raises can expect a pay increase of over 23.5% over the next three years.
• Nurses who move up two pay levels over the next three years will receive a 21% pay increase.
• Nurses who move up a pay grade over the next three years will receive a pay increase of 18.5%.
• Nurses at the top end of the pay scale will receive either a pay rise of 18.5% (if they reached the highest pay grade in January 2024) or a pay rise of 21% (if they reached the highest pay grade before January 2024).

With approximately 1,500 nurses expected to participate in the two-day strike, there are concerns about the potential impact on patient care during the strike. Rady Children’s Hospital told local news that contingency plans are in place to minimize disruption, including having backup nurses available for the duration of the strike.

“These nurses don’t want to go on strike. They don’t want the children and families of San Diego to be afraid to come to the hospital. They don’t want their families with chronic illnesses to worry about not receiving the same wonderful care they receive every time they visit. These nurses simply want to have the tools to care for themselves so they can continue to support the patients and families they love,” a Rady nurse told Nurse.org, who asked to remain anonymous.

A long-standing wage dispute

The wage dispute between UNOCH and Rady Children’s Hospital is not a new issue. In fact, it has been simmering for several years.

According to UNOCH, nurses at the hospital have not received a significant pay raise in years, despite the rising cost of living in the San Diego area. The union argues that this has led to an exodus of experienced nurses seeking better-paying jobs at other hospitals or even leaving the profession altogether.

As the strike date approaches, both sides have expressed their willingness to return to the negotiating table to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. However, prospects for a resolution remain uncertain as neither party appears willing to budge from their respective positions.

As the situation continues to develop, all eyes will be on Rady Children’s Hospital and UNOCH, with the hope that a solution can be reached that meets both the nurses’ demands for fair compensation and the hospital’s need for financial stability.