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 the last month, beginning with the most recent.
1. Massachusetts union: Steward Holy Family Hospital refuses to bargain new contract
The Massachusetts Nurses Association filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging Boston-based Steward Health Care has stonewalled labor negotiations with nurses at Steward Holy Family Hospital at Merrimack Valley in Haverhill, Mass., and Methuen, Mass., according to a State House News Service report. Steward plans to review the charge.
2. Allina nurses reject contract offer, authorize strike
Nurses at Minneapolis-based Allina Health voted overwhelmingly to reject the latest offer by the health system and authorize a strike. The contract offer rejected by the nurses would have eliminated union-backed health insurance and moved the workers to plans that other health system employees receive.
3. Indiana Regional Medical Center nurses to picket
Indiana (Pa.) Regional Medical Center nurses were scheduled to picket June 6 over contract negotiations, according to The Tribune-Democrat. The workers, represented by the Indiana Registered Nurses Association, want to retain "fair healthcare" options. They were slated to hold two informational picketing sessions at the hospital entrance.
4. Huntington Memorial Hospital, union reach agreement shortly before scheduled labor board hearing
Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, Calif., and the California Nurses Association reached a settlement agreement May 31, just days before a National Labor Relations Board trial was scheduled to begin, according to a Pasadena Now report. As part of the agreement, HMH has agreed to rescind the terminations of registered nurses Allysha Almada and Vicki Lin and pay them full back pay, the union said in a statement. HMH also agreed to set aside the results of the 2015 HMH RN union election, and move forward with a new election.
5. Brigham nurses union to vote on one-day strike
The Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents 3,300 nurses at Boston-based Brigham and Women's Hospital, plans to vote June 13 on authorizing a one-day strike, The Boston Globe reports. The vote would follow months of contentious contract negotiations between the union and Brigham, which is part of Boston-based Partners HealthCare. Sticking points of negotiations have included wages, scheduling and health benefits.
6. 1,300 Inspira Health Network nurses plan picket
Roughly 1,300 nurses at Woodbury, N.J.-based Inspira Health Network hospitals planned to picket June 6, The Daily Journal reports. However, the planned picket was averted, and contract negotiations continue between the Health Professional and Allied Employees, which represent the workers, and the healthcare organization.
7. 263 Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare workers brace for strike
Salinas (Calif.) Valley Memorial Healthcare System union workers participated in a 24-hour strike that began May 17. The 263 workers went on strike after no negotiations were made between SVMH and the National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents the employees.
8. Saint Louis University Hospital, SEIU workers reach agreement
Saint Louis University Hospital workers reached a new contract agreement with management, according to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report. The three-year contract covers 629 nonclinical workers represented by the Service Employees International Union. Under the contract, workers will receive a 2.5 percent annual raise through 2018, according to Kaitlin DeCero, spokeswoman for SEIU.
9. Stanford Health Care, Lucile Packard nurses ratify union contract: 4 things to know
The Committee for Recognition of Nursing Achievement, the union representing nurses at Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford in Palo Alto, Calif., voted May 11 to ratify the previously announced tentative agreement with the hospitals. Here are four things to know about the agreement. The agreement includes across-the-board increases of 4 percent annually, acceleration of raises for nurses early in their careers and new longevity raises, the union said.
10. Lewis County General Hospital workers approve union contract, ending hiring freeze: 5 things to know
Union workers at Lewis County General Hospital in Lowville, N.Y., approved a contract agreement with management, according to a Watertown Daily Times report. The two-year contract covers more than 500 workers, represented by Civil Service Employees Association.
11. Philadelphia nurses rally, demand better staffing
About 100 nurses, union organizers and supporters rallied outside City Hall in Philadelphia, demanding better staffing and nursing support jobs in local hospitals, according to a PhillyVoice report. Those at the rally were from Temple University Hospital, Hahnemann University Hospital and St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, all in Philadelphia, as well as Einstein Medical Center, with several Pennsylvania locations, Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill, Pa., Crozer-Chester (Pa.) Medical Center, Suburban Community Hospital in Norristown, Pa., and Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, Pa.