For more information, hospital media contacts, and the latest news on the strikes and negotiations with the California Nurses Union, please visit: http://sutterhealthblogs.org/cnanegotiations
The California Nurses Union has announced their intent to strike Mills-Peninsula and three other Bay Area hospitals affiliated with Sutter Health on Thursday, December 22. At Mills-Peninsula, striking nurses will return on Saturday, Dec. 24.
The union has also given formal strike notice at: Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Sutter Delta Medical Center, Sutter Solano Medical Center and Eden Medical Center and could issue strike notice at that hospital as well.
Mills-Peninsula’s contract with a staffing agency requires us to pay replacement nurses for a minimum of five days. In compliance with the contract, we have maintained a five-day replacement period in previous strikes because paying both regular and replacement staff doesn’t meet our affordability – or common sense – goals.
However, the union’s decision to strike during the holidays presents its own, different challenges. The staffing agency’s ability to fulfill our order depends in part on ensuring replacement nurses can get home in time for the holidays. Because of that stipulation and with respect for our non-union staff, physicians, patients and families in the holiday season, we are shortening the replacement period by one day. Replacement nurses will spend the first two days in training, provide patient care for two days and return home on Dec. 24.
Sutter Health Nurse Pay and Benefits Remain Industry Leaders
Sutter Health hospitals know that providing the very best care for our patients starts with taking good care of our nurses. A nurse who chooses to work full-time at a Sutter Health hospital that has a contract with the California Nurses Union earns:
• An average of $136,000 per year
• An employer-paid pension plan worth $84,000 per year on average in retirement
• 40 paid days off per year
A part-time nurse earns an average of $105,000 per year and receives virtually the same benefits.
What’s more, nurses across our network are respected, influential members of our health care team — many holding positions on decision-making councils related to delivering the highest levels of quality care.
Despite these generous wages and a rewarding work environment, the union is asking for new and enhanced benefits that will increase the cost of health care. The union demands:
• Free health care for life after retirement
• To double their current retirement benefit — even though the average Sutter Health full-time nurse earns an annual $84,000 pension for life.
The California Nurses Union is calling its second strike in less than three months. This union has called more than 100 strikes against California hospitals in the last 3 years.
It is always tough for patients and families to be in the hospital, but it’s especially difficult during the holidays. Unfortunately, the union has chosen to strike during this time.
Quality Patient Care Will Continue During the Strike
Our hospitals will take steps to preserve quality patient care in the wake of the union’s strike. Our hospitals are exploring all available options to ensure high-quality care for our patients is not interrupted.
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