Stacie L. Patterson Law Blog

Concerned with dwindling healthcare coverage and patient care issues, California nurses went on strike on December 22. The strike affected large hospitals in the bay area and Long Beach.

These nurses are concerned about patient care, nurse safety and healthcare coverage and benefits. One hospital has reportedly proposed to eliminate sick leave, another has failed to implement a safe patient handling policy to ensure nurses aren't injured when lifting patients, despite Governor Brown signing a law requiring it. Some nurses even feel that they are being forced into striking by management having offered an ultimatum: nurses would pledge not to strike if management would pledge not to "put takeaways on the table."

It was originally reported that up to 6,000 nurses had planned to strike but recent reports state that a significant number of nurses had crossed the picket lines to work. Replacement nurses were hired causing some full time nurses to be locked out of work until today. Contracts of temporary nurses allow for a minimum number of days at work, thus the lock out.

California nurses also staged a 24 hour strike in September. Hospitals parried the move then by hiring temporary nurses, as well. Nursing mistakes and high numbers of hospital re-admittance are a definite risk in these situations. Potential strikes are also set in New Jersey, Minnesota and New York.

If you are a nurse in need of legal representation, call attorney Stacie L. Patterson. (619) 269-8074