Nurses at some Bay Area hospitals plan strike

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_7029477?source=most_emailed

By Tim Simmers
MediaNews
Article Launched: 09/28/2007 01:52:38 PM PDT

Registered nurses at 13 Bay Area hospitals announced plans Friday to walk off their jobs for a two-day strike in October.

The strike could involve as many as 5,000 nurses at some of the largest Bay Area hospitals operated by the Sutter Health chain, including Mills-Peninsula Health Services in Burlingame and San Mateo, and Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley and Oakland.

The strike is scheduled for Oct. 10 and 11.

At issue are nurse-to-patient ratios, as well as health care coverage and retirement security, according to nurses and their union leaders. The nurses are represented by the California Nurses Association.

"Sutter is putting health of the bottom line over health of the community," said Charles Idelson, spokesman for the union.

The nurses have been bargaining for a new contract since May. Monday was the last bargaining session, and no more negotiations are scheduled.

full STORY AT LINK.

[2rth2pwr]

1. I wonder if the UAW agreement will be used as a model. nt