Nurses Union Threatens To Strike at 34 Hospitals Over H1N1 Preparation
The California Nurses Association labor union said up to 16,000 nurses will strike at 34 hospitals on Oct. 30 unless the health centers boost preparation for H1N1 influenza, also known as swine flu, the AP/San Francisco Chronicle reports.
CNA officials called for the hospitals to write state and federal H1N1 protection recommendations into their contracts.
The strike threat comes amid contract negotiations between CNA and Catholic Healthcare West, which runs 28 of the 34 hospitals that would be affected by a strike (Mohajer, AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 10/19).
CNA has expressed concern about inadequate access to protective masks since a Sacramento nurse died in July after contracting H1N1 (Goldeen, Stockton Record, 10/20).
Potential Impact
If the nurses strike, the hospitals said they would postpone elective procedures and strive to maintain sufficient staffing levels.
CNA officials said the nurses will be prepared to end the strike if a major emergency occurs (AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 10/19).
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