Rady Children’s Hospital nurses oppose new hospital agreement and go on strike

Nurse negotiators at Rady Children’s Hospital rejected the hospital’s recent agreement and decided to strike in San Diego over the next few days.

Prompted by rising housing costs across the county, the strike will take place Monday and Tuesday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Rady Children’s Hospital, 3020 Children’s Way, according to a statement from Katie Langenstrass, executive director of the United Nurses of Children’s Hospital Teamsters Local 1699.

The union’s statement said: “While our bargaining team reached an agreement, the decision ultimately rests with the members, and they have determined that this falls far short of meeting their needs. This proposal does not address the high cost of living in San Diego, the most expensive city in the country, nor does it meet the standards needed to attract and retain the talented nurses our hospital needs.”

The statement said the hospital was forced into this situation by its refusal to comply with reasonable demands.

“Despite our efforts to work with the hospital to ensure that essential and specialized nurses remain on duty, the hospital has chosen to bring in replacement nurses from out of state. This decision, a clear expression of disrespect for our dedicated nurses and the patients they care for, only strengthens our resolve. We remain true to our mission of ensuring fair wages, benefits and the respect our nurses rightfully deserve. We do not want to strike, but we have no other choice,” the statement said.