Rady Children’s Hospital nurses begin strike – a historic milestone

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Hundreds of nurses at Rady Children’s Hospital went on strike Monday after union members rejected a tentative collective bargaining agreement reached in final negotiations over the weekend.

The demonstration by nurses from United Nurses of Children’s Hospital (UNOCH) Local 1699 marks the start of a historic two-day strike – the union’s first since its formation over 20 years ago. The strike is scheduled to end Wednesday morning.

According to the union, the striking nurses are demanding better pay and benefits in their collective bargaining negotiations. These demands are intended to improve patient care by reducing staff turnover and making recruitment more competitive.

Earlier this month, hospital management was given notice of a 10-day strike after the union overwhelmingly rejected the first collective bargaining agreement because it did not agree with proposed wages and benefits. Two other agreements, including one reached on Sunday, were also rejected.

“We know the last two weeks have been difficult and the future is uncertain, but one thing we have already gained is unity. We have come together like never before,” UNOCH Local 1699 officials said in an email to their members Sunday evening. “Let’s maintain solidarity on the picket line.”

Rady Children’s Hospital officials insisted the contracts met nurses’ demands in a “fair and reasonable” manner.

In a statement on Sunday, the hospital said the latest agreement would have increased the average nurse’s pay by 25 percent over three years and included a market-based adjustment of base salary, updated shift allowances, a refined salary scale and incremental increases.

The statement did not go into detail about the adjustments made to collectively agreed benefits such as pensions and health insurance, which are a sticking point for unionised nursing staff.

“I personally work two jobs to make ends meet, in addition to my husband’s job,” Alexandra Seanez, a registered nurse at Rady Children’s Hospital, told FOX 5/KUSI on Monday. “I have a child with medical needs who was not even able to get specialized care here — even as an employee of Rady Children’s Hospital. They did not accept our insurance.”

“We nurses at Rady Children’s Hospital have some of the worst benefits in the San Diego County hospital system,” Seanez continued. “Our premiums have increased 34% in the last few years, our copays keep getting higher and higher, and we just can’t keep up.”

Rady Children’s Hospital officials added that they will continue to provide patient care during the union’s strike, and strike-related gaps will be filled by hiring additional pediatric nurses through a professional staffing agency.

“Now, as always, our focus is on the children and making sure we are there for them every day and taking care of them,” Dr. Patrick Frias, president and CEO of Rady Children’s Hospital, told FOX 5/KUSI Monday morning.