Nurses from University Medical Center (UMC) were on strike today. The one day strike was called by nurses who are members of the California Nurses Association (CNA) to pressure management to bargain in good faith. The company is offering a 2% salary increase and the nurses want at least 5%. A standardized pay scale and an improved pension plan are also being sought by striking workers.

Don Nielsen, CNA director of arbitration in the Central Valley and the lead negotiator at UMC, said "this strike is about fairness and getting justice for the nurses that work at UMC.." Nurses at UMC have been working without a contract for seven years. Nielsen says that "when Fresno County privatized the hospital in 1996 all of the nurses were told to re-apply for their jobs. That is when the new owner, Community Hospital, refused to recognize the union." CNA filed unfair labor practice complaints with the National Labor Relations Board and fought for seven years for recognition. The NLRB ruled in favor of the nurses and their right to be represented by CNA. Read More