Members of Service Employees International Union Local 121RN and SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West are planning an informational picket on April 24 at Northridge Hospital Medical Center in Northridge and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo, both owned by Dignity Health. Dignity management and the unions, which represent 3,100 nurses and servicer workers, have been in talks on a new contract since February. The current contract expires April 30. The unions said the purpose of the informational picket is to call attention to ongoing disputes with management around the issues of subcontracting and layoff and rehiring protections. Management also wants to allow nurses to float, something the union opposes. A Northridge spokesperson said the hospital continues to bargain in good faith to “reach a contract that is fair to our patients, our community, our organization and our employees.” She said both hospitals will remain open with all services available during the picket. Judy Temes
