SAN FRANCISCO – Thirteen hospitals in the Bay Area brought in replacement workers as a result of a two-day nurses strike that began Dec. 13.
The strike was a repeat from a strike held earlier this year in October. Nurses from hospitals affiliated with Sutter Health protested a proposal presented by Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley that would require some nurses to fill out eight-page health questionnaires and pay either health insurance premiums or have wellness coaches. Currently, nurses do not have to pay premiums.
Carolyn Kemp, spokesperson for Alta Bates, said nurses had the opportunity to choose a free HMO-type health insurance plan as long as they were treated at a Sutter Health facility, as opposed to having a wellness coach.
Nurses complained of having to switch from their regular doctors to new ones if they accept this plan.
In addition to Alma Bates, nurses from neighboring areas including Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley, Sutter Delta in Antioch, San Leandro Medical Center, Sutter Solano Medical Center in Vallejo and Mills-Peninsula Health Services were also affected.
Nurses said that during meals and breaks, there is not enough coverage. Their goal is to increase staffing. While hospital officials disagree, nurses said that it’s difficult to take bathroom breaks because hospitals are so understaffed.A nurse at Alma Bates said that during her 23 years of service at the hospital, she received $6,000 in penalties because of missed meals and breaks. Phorild Urdal said she would rather have her breaks instead of the money so she can be refreshed.
Representatives from Eden Medical Center said the hospital plans to create 16 registered nurse positions to provide relief.
Although the strike will end at 7 a.m. on Dec. 15, many hospitals plan to lock out strikers until Dec. 17 because of the contract with the fill-in nurses.