Registered nurses at Barton Memorial Hospital will hold a one-day strike, Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, announced the California Nurses Association (CNA) today. The nurses say hospital management has refused to make adequate proposals in bargaining over working conditions that affect patient care.

The nurses say 14 months ago they presented the hospital with a health care proposal, which included the elimination of employee medical debt and an increase in health care coverage. Management ignored the proposal and has failed to offer a counterproposal, even though Barton management had indicated in July 2019 that a health care proposal was forthcoming.

“It is important that we have some clarity on what Barton is proposing in order to recruit and retain experienced nurses,” said Kelli Teteak, a registered nurse in the intensive care unit. “Nurses who work together for many years are able to provide the highest quality of care. Experienced nurses have an important role in providing training and mentorship to newer nurses. However, due to Barton’s short staffing and inadequate benefits, nurses leave at an alarming rate.”

What: One-Day Strike and Rally 
When: Friday, Sept. 20 — Picket starts at 7:30 a.m., rally at noon        
Where: Barton Memorial Hospital, 2170 South Ave, South Lake Tahoe, Calif.

Medical Debt

According to information supplied by Barton Memorial, more than 20 percent of registered nurses who work at Barton are in collections or Barton is deducting exorbitant amounts from their paychecks for care they or their family members received at the hospital. 

“It is clear the hospital does not take seriously the well-being of those who are committed to caring for this community,” said Beth Dameral, RN. “Nurses should receive adequate health care coverage so they and their families can live healthy lives without the burden of medical debt hanging over their heads. We wonder, too, how many of our patients are in serious financial debt to this hospital.”

In November 2017, Barton Memorial Hospital registered nurses voted overwhelmingly to unionize with CNA. The nurses have been in negotiations with hospital management since March of 2018.  

The strike is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 20 and conclude at 7:29 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21.