Tuesday marked the end of a three-day strike for hospital nurses at Cedars-Sinai in Marina Del Rey.
The nurses who were in contract negotiations with the hospital were protesting what they claimed was management’s attempts to take away the nurses’ bargaining rights, according to National Nurses United.
Cody Kuok, one of the striking nurses, told KNX News’ Pete Demetriou that it’s been a tough, prolonged battle.
“We've been in contract negotiations since February and Cedars’ offer includes us having to give up our right to bargain,” he said. “It's a pretty classic union bussing technique and if we were to agree to the proposal, we wouldn't be able to function as a union. That's why we're out here day after Christmas, day of Christmas, Christmas Eve because this is how serious we feel about our rights.”
Despite frustrations among the nurses, Kuok said the mood has improved due to some movements in negotiations. The hospital will return to the bargaining table and a federal mediator will be present.
Sofia, another registered nurse, told Demetriou the nurses are optimistic about having a mediator present.
“We've been requesting that for months, and they were rejecting our request,” she said.
“But they finally agreed.”
She added she hopes the mediator will see that the hospital is “union busting.”
“They want us to waive our rights to bargain over important benefits, and I think the federal mediator will see that immediately and let them know that it's illegal,” she said.
Talks are set to resume Jan. 16.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok