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ALAMEDA — Registered nurses at Alameda Hospital and San Leandro Hospital went on strike this weekend, alleging unfair labor practices at the two Bay Area hospitals.
In their first strike since 1974, nurses at Alameda Hospital accused hospital management of bargaining in bad faith after 10 months of stalled negotiations on a contract that expired last December. The health practitioners protested what they called illegal layoffs at both hospitals and the “wholesale elimination” of longtime provisions, including reimbursement for competency courses they need to work, adding that management has made “unilateral changes without bargaining with the union” and changed practices for new hires.
Linda Strack, a Telemetry RN in Alameda for over six years, said proposals by the Alameda Health System’s management would “decimate” the hospital: “It’s egregious. Such mismanagement and such a disservice to the community, which had stood by this hospital for 10 years.”
The CNA, which represents nearly 400 nurses, has filed multiple charges with the California Public Employee Relations Board against both hospitals alleging violations of state law, according to Strack. CNA members marched and picketed on Clinton Avenue in Alameda on Friday.
“We have nurses who’ve worked here 30 years. We love it here,” Strack said, adding that nurses have not received raises since 2014 and that the hospital’s changes would make it impossible for the Alameda Health System to retain experienced nurses. “It’s never been about money.”
In Alameda, striking CNA members were joined by members of the SEIU United Healthcare Workers West statewide union, which recently supported 1,500 Kaiser Permanente health care employees in a Labor Day walkout and civil disobedience action over labor disputes there.
Surinder Grewal, a Medical/Surgical nurse at Alameda, has worked for the Alameda Health System since 1979. She said she marched all day Friday to get the contract right. “We can’t do anything. They’re cutting patient care. We’ve had a lot of problems.”
The Alameda Health System has served East Bay patients and their health care needs since 1864, according to its website. At the system’s San Leandro Hospital, Laurie Mandel, a registered nurse, said the AHS administrator has prioritized their bottom line over providing quality care.
“AHS administrators have already made so many changes without listening to our concerns, which has resulted in the loss of good nurses. They continue to disrespect our contract and are being unfair, at and away from the bargaining table, which is why I believe it is important for us nurses to be united and stand up for justice for our patients and our families.”
NBC Bay Area reported nurses at San Ramon Regional Medical Center were also striking this weekend as part of a multistate protest demanding investment in staff by management at Tenet hospitals.
