Nurses strike at Rady Children’s Hospital enters final day

Tuesday is the second and final day of the United Nurses of Children’s Hospitals (UNOCH) Local 1699 strike outside Rady Children’s Hospital.

Just a few meters from the hospital, a characteristic sound of horns, shouts, megaphones, cowbells, music and revving motorcycles could be heard.

The crowds of nurses were thrilled when Senator Tony Adkins, who is running for governor, stopped by Tuesday morning to express her support.

However, the hospital stated that the noise had become a burden for doctors and patients and that it was perceived as disruptive in the emergency room and intensive care unit.

“The patients are very sensitive at this stage because they are undergoing surgery. The doctors cannot hear the baby’s chest sounds or breathing. They also cannot hear the heartbeat,” said Dr. Charles Davis, chief operating officer at Rady Children’s Hospital.

Davis said the hospital contacted strike organizers late Monday night and asked them to move the picket line or calm the situation.

“Patients are our top priority, so we’ve asked the trucks we inspect to tone down the honking a little,” said Katie Langenstrauss, executive director of UNOCH Local 1699. “We’ve tried to remove signs that say ‘Honk for your nurses.’ Out of an abundance of caution, we’re trying to keep the noise down.”

Strike noises were reported as early as 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

“It’s very intimidating for a lot of our families. It scares me a lot,” Davis said. “The patients come here for therapy; some of the children with conditions like autism are very sensitive to noise.”

However, Langesnstrauß said she and other strike organizers had received mixed feedback.

“We’re hearing conflicting reports,” Langesnstrauss said. “There are families marching with us. We ask them about the noise in the building and they say they can hear it, but it’s not disruptive.”

The hospital also said the strike had disrupted traffic, even for ambulances, causing some families to avoid the area.

“We told them we have a safe way across the street, and if we need to reschedule, we will reschedule,” Davis said.

The strike, which began after the union rejected the hospital’s offer of a 25 percent pay increase over three years, is scheduled to end at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

The union is demanding a 30 percent increase over three years and better benefits.