Labor contract negotiations between unionized employees and hospitals are not always smooth. When both sides remain at odds over key issues, the result may be a strike.
Here are eight notable strikes reported by Becker's Hospital Review so far in 2017.
1. UPHS-Marquette nurses begin 2-day strike
Nurses at Upper Peninsula Health System-Marquette (Mich.) began to strike Oct. 5 after unsuccessful negotiations between the hospital and the Michigan Nurses Association.
2. Nearly 800 MNA-backed nurses begin strike at Berkshire Medical Center
Nearly 800 nurses at Pittsfield, Mass.-based Berkshire Medical Center began a 24-hour strike Oct. 3.
3. Tufts nurses strike, marking Boston's 1st RN strike in 30 years
Approximately 1,200 nurses at Boston-based Tufts Medical Center began to strike July 12, signalling the beginning of a planned 24-hour walkout.
4. Baystate Franklin nurses plan to return to work after strike
Nurses at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, Mass., began to strike June 26 over alleged unfair labor practices.
5. California hospital workers begin 3-day strike
Workers at Watsonville (Calif.) Community Hospital began a three-day strike June 14.
6. New York workers strike at Fresenius-owned dialysis clinics
Approximately 200 protesters, including workers represented by the New York State Nurses Association and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, went on strike June 12 at Fresenius dialysis clinics in the New York City metro area.
7. Nurse strike begins at Delaware County Memorial Hospital
Hundreds of nurses and technicians at Drexel Hill, Pa.-based Delaware County Memorial Hospital began to strike March 5.
8. Administrative and clerical workers strike near UC San Diego campuses
Administrative and clerical workers represented by Teamsters Local 2010 began to strike January 10 near UC San Diego hospitals in Hillcrest and La Jolla.