Here are 10 notable labor strikes reported by Becker's Hospital Review this year:
1. 4,000 Kaiser mental health clinic workers launch 5-day strike in California
Four thousand California mental health clinicians began a five-day strike Dec. 10 to protest what they call understaffing issues that lead to long wait times for therapy appointments.
2. University of Illinois-Chicago LPNs walk off the job
Licensed practical nurses at Chicago-based University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics went on strike Nov. 15 amid contract negotiations.
3. University of California hospital workers end strike
Thousands of University of California unionized workers ended a three-day strike at UC medical centers on Oct. 25.
The strike involved American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, which represents more than 25,000 UC service and patient care technical workers. Members of University Professional and Technical Employees-Communications Workers of America 9119, which represents more than 13,000 UC technical and professional employees, also participated.
4. UPMC workers strike; nonunion hospital workers launch political action committee
Dozens of UPMC hospital workers in Pittsburgh went on strike Oct. 4 in support of their right to form a union.
5. 560 Providence Tarzana workers strike
Approximately 560 workers at Providence Tarzana (Calif.) Medical Center went on strike Aug. 16 over wages and staffing.
6. Rhode Island hospital workers begin 3-day strike
Unionized healthcare workers at Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence began a three-day strike July 23 amid contract negotiations.
7. UVM Medical Center nurses begin 2-day strike
Unionized nurses at University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington began a strike July 12 after previous contract negotiations with management failed.
8. Pennsylvania nurses strike, cite staffing concerns at Wilkes-Barre General
Registered nurses at Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) General Hospital went on strike May 31, primarily over staffing.
9. University of California hospital workers strike: 8 things to know
Union workers from University of California hospitals and campuses went on strike amid contract negotiations. UC service workers, who are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, began a three-day strike May 7 over issues such as wages, healthcare premiums and job outsourcing. Members of the University Professional and Technical Employees-CWA and the California Nurses Association joined the walkout in support beginning May 8
10. Baystate Franklin nurses strike: 6 things to know
Nurses at Greenfield, Mass.-based Baystate Franklin Medical Center began their 24-hour strike April 11 amid contract negotiations. Nurses have since ratifieda contract with the hospital. The three-year agreement, which covers about 200 Baystate Franklin nurses represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, addresses various patient care issues, including staffing.
More articles on human capital and risk:
Kaiser accused of refusing to negotiate labor deal covering 85,000 workers
Kaiser Permanente mental health workers end 5-day strike
Massachusetts workers at Steward Health Care hospital OK union