A union representing nurses at children’s hospitals is preparing for a five-day strike of more than 1,600 employees at Rady Children’s Hospital later this month.
United Nurses of Children’s Hospital Teamsters Local 1699 intends to begin a strike at 7 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 19 and end at 6:59 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24 following failed negotiations between the hospital and the union.
UNOCH members walked off their jobs July 22 and July 23, forcing Rady to hire about 400 temporary workers to fill vacant shifts.
“After the membership voted down the hospital’s latest offer, we wanted to swiftly get back to the table to try to secure a fair contract for our 1,600 nurses,” said Katie Langenstrass, executive director of UNOCH 1699.
“While there were some improvements in the latest offer, it was evident that the hospital was attempting to divide us by reallocating money from some members to others. This is unacceptable.”
Hospital officials described the offer — its third to the union — as “fair, competitive and sustainable and allocated available funds to the areas we believe are of greatest need.”
A post on the union’s website detailed Rady’s third contract offer, the one that UNOCH workers just voted down. It appears to maintain the same base wage increases but grants more generous raises for those early in their careers. Rady administrators said that the average nurse in its employ makes about $70 per hour when all forms of compensation are included.
As a result of UNOCH filing its 10-day notice to strike, Rady is entering its strike contingency plan to “ensure the hospital can continue to be the pediatric safety net for the community’s children and families.”
Both sides claim they are open to negotiations in good faith with the other. The union may withdraw its 10-day notice before the strike commences.
UNOCH Teamsters Local 1699 represents professional nurses, therapists and technicians dedicated to the care of infants, children and their families.
Union-Tribune writer Paul Sisson contributed to this report.
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