Nurses Call on Hospital to Reach Fair Contract Settlement

With hospital administrators continuing to toe a hard line in contract talks Monday, registered nurses at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in Valencia called for a one-day strike Friday, May 1, joining more than 6,400 registered nurses – including over 2,300 in Los Angeles County – who have also announced plans to be on strike that week.

Contract talks will resume on Thursday, with Henry Mayo RNs calling on hospital management to reach a fair contract agreement that respects nurses’ legal and patient advocacy rights that can still avoid a walkout.

Earlier this month, the RNs held a candlelight vigil to press hospital officials to get serious in negotiations and achieve a breakthrough.

Hospital officials have been insisting that the RNs surrender their right to report violations of employee rights, covered by federal and state laws, to appropriate public agencies.

The RNs are also protesting inadequate staffing that limits the ability of RNs to safely take meal and rest breaks, and wage rates that are well below the market average for comparable hospitals. 

 “When an employer request of staff to relinquish their rights to use the protective laws set forth in our society; this can only be viewed as blatant disrespect and an attack on our profession,” said Susan Salkeld, one of some 650 Henry Mayo RNs represented by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United. They have been without a contract since late January.