RNs Plan 1-Day Walkout at Good Samaritan

Registered nurses at Good Samaritan hospital in Los Angeles planned a one-day walkout today, protesting stalled contract negotiations and the proposed closure of the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. About 500 nurses at the hospital are represented by the California Nurses Assn. and have been negotiating for a first contract for several months. A union spokesman said the hospital is seeking a reduction in paid time off, and the elimination of bonuses for weekend work. The nurses said the neonatal unit would be exempted from the 24-hour strike, which was set to start at 7 a.m. In a statement issued Tuesday, hospital president Andrew B. Leeka said that the hospital has hired relief nursing staff and that it closed the neonatal unit for patient safety. Leeka also said the hospital has bargained in good faith and made a fair offer to the nurses. “We urge them to continue an open dialogue, rather than place the survival of one of Los Angeles’ most respected independent hospitals at risk,” he said.