Nurses at Rady Children’s Hospital have voted to strike after negotiations with management failed, the union said in a statement Wednesday.
The United Nurses of Children’s Hospital, the Teamsters local union that represents more than 1,500 nurses at the hospital, said Tuesday’s vote overwhelmingly favored a strike after months of negotiations and the failure of a collective bargaining agreement.
“Rady Children’s Hospital forced us to do this,” said Katie Langenstrass, executive director of UNOCH Teamsters Local 1699. “Our members are passionate about their work and their patients. However, because the hospital continually underestimates their commitment and abilities, we have no choice.”
“Despite the hospital’s total operating revenue increasing to $1.6 billion by 2023, they continue to refuse to compensate our members fairly, while nurses are working multiple jobs to make ends meet. That’s just not right,” she said.
No strike date was announced and there was no immediate response from hospital management.
Nurse Marie Wahl said the strike vote was about more than just pay.
“Many of our colleagues leave us after only one to two years to take better-paying positions at other hospitals,” she said. “This constant turnover disrupts patient care and places an unjustified burden on those of us who remain.”
City News Service contributed to this article.
