About 50 resident and intern physicians at Highland Hospital in Oakland, Calif., walked off the job for 20 minutes April 3 to protest hospital administrators' contract proposals, The Mercury News reports.
Six things to know.
1. The protest comes amid labor negotiations between Oakland-based Alameda Health System and the Service Employees International Union.
2. The union represents hospital residents and interns who oppose Alameda Health System's proposal to cut the physicians' $70,000 patient care fund — which can be used to buy equipment and technology items such as iPads.
3. The union said it is also protesting hospital administrators' proposal to no longer reimburse interns and residents for Drug Enforcement Administration licenses. The union wants guaranteed access to wireless phones at the hospital, among other demands.
4. Alameda Health System spokesperson Terry Lightfoot told The Mercury News commenting on the union's concerns regarding the labor proposal would be "inappropriate" during negotiations..
5. "We're confident that as long as we're both at the table working on these issues we'll come to an agreement that will benefit not only our patients but reflect our appreciation of the work done by our residents," Mr. Lightfoot said.
6. The next bargaining session is scheduled for April 8.
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