Rady Children’s Hospital nurses decide to strike amid wage dispute – Scrubs

San Diego, Calif. – Nurses at Rady Children’s Hospital have voted to strike July 22-24 after months of collective bargaining failed. The decision came after the United Nurses of Children’s Hospital (UNOCH), the Teamsters union representing more than 1,500 nurses, announced the July 11 vote. Union leadership had given the hospital 10 days’ notice, as required by federal labor law, signaling its intent to walk out.

Reasons for the strike

At the heart of the dispute are demands for fair wages, better benefits and improved working conditions. Union leaders argue that Rady Children’s Hospital continues to underpay its nurses, even though its operating revenue will reach $1.6 billion in 2023. Many nurses reportedly struggle with the high cost of living in San Diego and must take on multiple jobs to make ends meet. Katie Langenstrass, executive director of UNOCH Teamsters Local 1699, stated, “Rady Children’s Hospital forced us to do this. Our members are passionate about their work and their patients. However, the hospital’s continued undervaluation of their commitment and skills leaves us no choice.”

Impact on patient care

The strike is expected to have a significant impact on patient care at San Diego County’s only children’s hospital. Union officials have stressed that high turnover among nurses, driven by better-paying positions elsewhere, is affecting patient care and placing undue stress on remaining staff. Marie Wahl, a registered nurse at Rady Children’s Hospital, stressed that the strike is about more than just wages; it is about ensuring consistent, high-quality patient care.

Hospital response

Rady Children’s Hospital administration had proposed a three-year contract that would increase the average nurse’s salary by 22% over that period, but that offer was rejected by the union. The hospital has not yet commented on the impending strike, but it will likely result in longer wait times, rescheduled appointments and possible disruptions in critical care.

Next Steps

With the strike date set, both the union and hospital administration have a limited window of time to negotiate and potentially avert the strike. Previous last-minute negotiations in similar situations have sometimes resulted in breakthroughs that prevented strikes. As the strike date approaches, the San Diego community is closely monitoring the situation, hoping for a solution that balances the needs of nurses with the need for uninterrupted, quality care for the children who depend on Rady Children’s Hospital.