(San Diego, Calif.) The following is a statement from Katie Langenstrass, Executive Director of United Nurses of Children’s Hospital (UNOCH) Teamsters Local 1699, on the rejection of the latest offer by Rady Children’s Hospital: 

“Our members have spoken and have voted down the latest tentative agreement. While our bargaining team reached a deal, it is ultimately up to the membership to decide, and they have determined that it falls far too short of their needs. This proposal does not adequately address the high cost of living in San Diego, the most expensive city in the country, nor does it meet the standards necessary to attract and retain the talented nurses our hospital needs.

“Our nurses are united and ready to fight for what is right. The unfair labor practice strike will begin tomorrow at 6:30 a.m. Our priority is always patient care, but the hospital’s refusal to meet our reasonable demands has forced us into this position. We do not want to strike, but we have no other option.

“Despite our efforts to collaborate with the hospital to ensure that crucial and specialized nurses remain on duty, the hospital has opted to import replacement nurses from other states. This decision, a clear display of disrespect towards our dedicated nurses and the patients they serve, only strengthens our resolve. We are steadfast in our mission to secure fair wages, benefits, and the respect our nurses rightfully deserve.”

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