SAN DIEGO — Update:
Both Rady Children's representatives and its unionized nurses celebrate the newly ratified three-year contract for nearly 1,600 nurses that was approved Thursday.
The workers represented by United Nurses of Children's Hospital (UNOCH) Teamsters Local 1699 say this agreement includes significant improvements to retiree healthcare, across-the-board wage increases, and reduced out-of-pocket medical costs for nurses.
The approved contract comes after four months of negotiations and a two-day strike in July.
“This contract underscores the power of unity and the solidarity among our nurses,” said Katie Langenstrass, Executive Director of UNOCH Teamsters Local 1699. “This agreement is the direct result of members raising their voices and demanding to be heard—and now, we have a contract that begins to tackle important issues like curbing rising medical costs. We did not get here alone—it was the result of the collective strength of our members, the steadfast support of elected officials, and the backing of our community members.”
A spokesperson for Rady Children's said the hospital is pleased nurses accepted the offer.
"Rady Children’s values every member of our workforce and will focus on moving forward as a united Team Rady," the statement reads. "Together we remain steadfast in our commitment to our mission and serving the children in our community."
Original story:
Nurses at Rady Children's Hospital will vote on their fourth contract offer on Thursday.
On Tuesday, unionized nurses reached a tentative contract agreement with Rady Children's Hospital. Union leaders are describing it as ``the best contract offer in decades.''
United Nurses of Children's Hospital Teamsters Local 1699 had been preparing for a five-day strike of more than 1,600 employees at Rady starting at 7 a.m. Monday and ending at 6:59 a.m. Aug. 24, following previous failed
negotiations between the hospital and the union.
The latest contract offer -- which builds on an Aug. 3 contract offer and adds an additional increase of $1.6 million in the form of a $1,000 bonus for every registered nurse in the bargaining unit -- will go to the union membership for a ratification vote Thursday.
"Given this context... there is no doubt that we have reached a pivotal moment in these negotiations,'' according to the Teamsters. "While we realize this last offer is not perfect, our collective efforts over the last few months have resulted in the best contract offer in decades. The across-the- board wage increases and market adjustments make us competitive or surpassing other San Diego hospitals.''
The offer is Rady's "Last, Best and Final Offer,'' and if members do not ratify it, the hospital's proposal for year one across-the-board increases will be reduced from the current 9% to 8%.
As a result of UNOCH filing its 10-day notice to strike last week, Rady entered its strike contingency plan to ``ensure the hospital can continue to be the pediatric safety net for the community's children and families.''
Both sides claimed they were open to negotiations in good faith with the other. The union may withdraw its 10-day notice before the strike is scheduled to commence on Monday.
UNOCH Teamsters Local 1699 represents professional nurses, therapists and technicians dedicated to the care of infants, children and their families.