Union Workers Allege ‘Chronic Short Staffing,’ But Palomar Hospitals Fire Back That Picket Is A Ploy To Rally Nurses
“The recent accusations of understaffing and poor working conditions are false and seem to be an attempt to rally nurses in light of the Janus Supreme Court decision which threatens to undermine the power of labor unions,” hospital officials said.
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Union Pickets Palomar Health Hospitals
Union workers picketed Palomar Health hospitals Wednesday alleging “chronic short staffing” and working conditions that “contribute to high turnover and undermine the quality of patient care.” Palomar, however, saw different motivations in the protest by the California Nurses Association and its affiliate, the Caregiver Healthcare Employees Union, saying in a statement that the motivation to picket might not have anything to do with its labor practices but rather with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision. ...Published on June 27, the Janus ruling declared that unions can no longer require employees to pay union dues, otherwise known as “agency fees,” if they decide they don’t want to be represented along with their fellow employees. (Sisson, 9/19)
In other hospital news —
The Bakersfield Californian:
Adventist Health Cuts 13 To 15 Jobs In Bakersfield
Adventist Health Bakersfield said Wednesday it plans to eliminate more than a dozen hospital jobs as part of a restructuring move. The 254-bed hospital formerly known as San Joaquin Community Hospital said 13 to 15 duplicate positions will be cut effective Nov. 16, though there is an expectation some affected employees will find jobs elsewhere within the organization. Communication manager Teresa Adamo said most of the employees whose positions are being eliminated are laboratory assistants who draw patients' blood. Their duties are being absorbed by others at the hospital, she said, adding that not all Adventist's lab assistants are being laid off. (Cox, 9/19)