Union representing Rady Children's Hospital nurses approves new contract

SAN DIEGO (KGTV)— After more than four months of bargaining and a two-day labor strike in July, Rady Children's Hospital nurses, represented by Teamsters Local 1699, ratified a three-year contract with the hospital Thursday evening.

With the ratification, a planned five-day strike that was set to begin on Monday, Aug. 19, was averted.

According to a press release sent by the union, the agreement covers 1,600 nurses. The new contract for the nurses significantly improves retiree healthcare, with across-the-board wage increases and reduced out-of-pocket medical costs.

Rady Children's Hospital issued this statement to ABC 10News: “Rady Children’s is pleased to share that the nurses represented by UNOCH/Teamsters Local 1699 have voted to approve a new three-year contract. Rady Children’s values every member of our workforce and will focus on moving forward as a united Team Rady. Together we remain steadfast in our commitment to our mission and serving the children in our community.”

“This is a win for our nurses, but more importantly, it is a win for our patients,” said Lisa DeGuzman, a Nursing Director of United Nurses of Children's Hospital (UNOCH) Teamsters Local 1699 and PICU at Rady Children’s Hospital, in a release. “With contract negotiations complete, we can focus on what we do best -- caring for the children and families who rely on us daily...”

Katie Langenstrass, executive director of UNOCH Local 1699, said, “We were very grateful for those gains … This last offer had the ratification bonuses, increases in healthcare, protects those nurses and brings them up to market value who are the beginning of the age grids.”

She added, “… both parties are going to have to work towards some cultural changes in the hospital that led to this and rebuild some trust amongst each other. We're ready to stand up for ourselves and show them what's coming in future negotiations if they were to stall again.”