Judge halts OMC strike
August 3rd, 2011 - 7:08pm
(Port Orchard) -- A Kitsap County Superior Court judge has ordered Olympic Medical Center's largest union not to hold a one-day strike next week.
Judge M. Karlyn Haberly this afternoon, agreed with Olympic Medical Center lawyers that the 18-hour work stoppage planed for August 11th was an illegal work action since the union members were public employees working for a public entity. Judge Haberly issued a 14-day temporary restraining order preventing members of SEIU Local 1199NW from walking off the job.
OMC RN Linda Bryant, in a prepared statement representing the union, says they would comply with the order. Bryant says they disagree with the order and think it does not recognize the union's right to stand for quality care for its families.
OMC CEO Eric Lewis says he was pleased with the order and now hopes good-faith negotiations can continue with the union that represents nurses, dietary and service workers at OMC.
The union had planned to walk off the job August 11th in protest of a proposal to have members pay part of the premiums for their childrens' health care benefits. Currently, OMC pays all of the premiums for employees and their children. The union also had concerns about staffing levels at OMC.
Lewis says the walkout would've cost OMC 600-thousand dollars to pay for replacement nurses and workers to keep the hospital open.
Email This Story
LATEST NEWS ITEMS:
