USC Keck Hospital Employees Strike Over Contract Dispute

On Wednesday, hundreds of caregivers and service employees at the University of Southern California's Keck Medical Center participated in a 24-hour strike over ongoing contract negotiations and what they say is inadequate input in staffing and care delivery issues. The employees, who are members of the National Union of Healthcare Workers, include respiratory care workers, radiology technologists, surgical technicians, housekeepers and others. Matt McElrath, chief human resources officer at the hospital, said that the hospital hired some replacement staff and that it was able to stay open and fully operational.

• "USC's Keck Hospital Caregivers on 24-Hour Strike" (AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 10/12).
• "Health Care Workers, Employees at Keck Medical Center Striking for 24 Hours" (Los Angeles Daily News, 10/12).