Registered Nurses at Southern California Hospital at Hollywood and Southern California Hospital at Van Nuys have withdrawn plans to launch 10-day strikes later this month, according to the Service Employees International Union Local 121RN that represents them.
On Dec. 19, nurses revealed plans to walk off the job in Van Nuys beginning at 3 p.m. Dec. 29 and in Hollywood beginning at 7 a.m. Dec. 31. But union officials told Becker's nurses withdrew those plans Dec. 21 in hopes that the two bargaining teams will come to an agreement with the hospitals' owner, Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings. The nurses will refile the strike notices and the strikes will begin on Dec. 31 if no deal is reached.
Nurses at the hospitals are in the middle of negotiating their first contract agreements. During negotiations, nurses have sought increased staffing levels, and discussions have also focused on workplace conditions, according to the union.
Hospital officials told Becker's: "We welcome the union’s action to cancel the planned strike action. We look forward to continuing to serve our patients and our communities without disruption."
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