In The News: Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital workers to protest today over layoffs
By Jim Johnson
Monterey County Herald
National Union of Healthcare Workers members said they will hold a candlelight vigil at 5 p.m. at the hospital’s main entrance on East Romie Lane in Salinas.
Salinas Valley Memorial officials announced last week they would send layoff notices to more than 100 union-represented employees, including about 80 represented by NUHW, to trim operating costs. Notices have been sent to 29 nurses represented by the California Nurses Association.
The remaining layoff notices are supposed to be sent by the end of the week, said Bev Ranzenberger, hospital operations vice president.
NUHW represents more than 800 licensed vocational nurses, certified nursing assistants, clerical workers and others at the hospital.
Union officials said the hospital failed to bargain in good faith over the proposed layoff plan, and neglected to issue the required 60-day notice in advance of the layoffs. They questioned the need for layoffs as the hospital is earning multi-million-dollar profits and paying its top administrators generous salaries.