More than 200 registered nurses at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, represented by the California Nurses Association, kicked off a seven-day strike March 15 to push for higher wages and an increase in patient care staff, according to a Los Angeles Daily News report.
According to KABC, RNs started picketing at 7 a.m., and nurses said there will be at least 100 people at the picket line at any given time between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day for the next week.
The walkout involves 1,200 RNs who voted last summer to join the CNA, and are pushing for their first contract.
Karen Chan, with the union, told the Los Angeles Daily News the RNs want to feel valued, and believe there is a lack of resources at the hospital. These are critical issues, she told the publication, since Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente recently announced plans to open a medical school in Pasadena, Calif., 10 miles northeast of Los Angeles, and plans to use the Los Angeles medical center as a teaching hospital. The system plans to break ground on the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine in 2017, and the first class of students is set to arrive in 2019.
Patti Clausen, RN, BSN, Kaiser's chief nurse executive at the Los Angeles Medical Center, said the strike is unfortunate because RNs have been taken away from patient care, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.
"We believe the union is doing this to influence a bargaining," Ms. Clausen told the publication. "We are always open to continuing the bargaining."
Kaiser Permanente officials said they have a plan in place to make sure patient care is not affected by the strike.
More articles on workforce and labor management:
Kentucky sees dramatic healthcare job growth after Medicaid expansion: 3 quick facts
Poll finds healthcare employees report similar workplace happiness as other industries, but feel less valued
Nurses protest closing of Memorial Hospital birthing center, ICU