The following is a roundup of recent events pertaining to hospital-union relationships, including strikes, legal battles, rallies and new contract agreements. All events were reported in December.
1. Union files NLRB complaint against Pomona Valley Hospital over quality concerns
The Service Employees International Union filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board last week, alleging Pomona (Calif.) Valley Hospital Medical Center was unlawfully trying to prevent workers from speaking out about potentially dangerous working conditions, reports Los Angeles Times. The hospital denies those allegations.
2. Tacoma General nurses expected to ratify contract, cancel strike vote
Nurses at MultiCare Health System's Tacoma (Wash.) General Hospital reached a tentative agreement with management on staffing ratios, reports The News Tribune. The agreement covers more than 700 nurses represented by the Washington State Nurses Association.
3. Union and Women & infants strike tentative labor deal
Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island in Providence reached a tentative agreement with SEIU 1199 New England, according to the hospital. The agreement came days after hospital nurses and other workers, represented by the union, voted to authorize a potential strike.
4. Grays Harbor Community Hospital approves 2% wage for unionized employees A number of employees at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen, Wash., will receive an early holiday gift. The workers, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21, can expect to see a 2 percent increase in wages in their Dec. 23 paycheck, reports The Daily World. The wage increase was announced Monday and is effective from Dec. 4.
5. Indiana Regional Medical Center, nurses reach tentative labor deal
Nursing staff at Indiana (Pa.) Regional Medical Center reached a tentative agreement with the hospital, averting a strike planned for later this month, according to an Indiana Gazette report. The Indiana Registered Nurses Association represents the workers.
6. NLRB to take up SEIU's complaint against Mayo
A union complaint against Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic is headed to federal court, according to a Post-Bulletin report. Months ago, the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Minnesota filed paperwork contending Mayo "failed to bargain in good faith" with union members at its facility in Albert Lea, Minn., according to the article. Now, the National Labor Relations Board has determined the union's complaint has merit, meaning the complaint will move forward to a hearing with an administrative law judge, reports the Post-Bulletin, citing a board decision. As of Dec. 13, a date for the hearing had not been set.
7. Grays Harbor Community Hospital, nurses reach labor deal
Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen, Wash., reached an agreement with the Washington State Nurses Association, according to the hospital. The contract will be in place for the next three years.
8. Nurses file labor complaint against St. Charles Health System over flu shot or mask policy
The Oregon Nurses Association filed an unfair labor practice charge against St. Charles Health System in Bend, Ore., over the system's recently introduced policy of requiring employees to either get vaccinated against influenza or wear a mask through peak flu season, according to a report from KTVZ. The ONA claims St. Charles violated the rights of its employees under the National Labor Relations Act by not bargaining with the nurses over the change in working conditions.
9. Delaware County Memorial Hospital workers rally for new contract, more staff
Nurses and medical technicians at Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill, Pa., picketed for a new contract with the hospital's for-profit owner, Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings, according to a Delaware County Daily Times report. The workers have been without a contract since joining the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals last January and have raised concerns about staffing.
10. Montefiore nurses turn to baked goods to highlight hospital staffing issues
Nurses, elected officials and community leaders hosted a bake sale for patient care Monday to highlight staffing issues at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, N.Y., according to an announcement from the New York State Nurses Association. Nurses claim Montefiore has a staffing issue that is causing overcrowding and even keeping patients in hallways.
11. Philadelphia nurses to vote on tentative labor deals with Tenet
Nearly 1,400 Philadelphia nurses reached tentative agreements on first contracts with Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, according to a report on Philly.com. The contract covers 940 nurses at Hahnemann University Hospital, 400 nurses at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and 30 nurses at St. Christopher's Pediatric Outpatient Clinic. All nurses are represented by the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, according to the report.