[NRSKarenRN]

Hospital says it will replace striking nurses


Lourdes Medical Center vowed it would permanently fill the jobs of those who did not return within a week.

By Frank Kummer

Inquirer Staff Writer

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/n...al/9314948.htm

Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County in Willingboro is notifying long-striking nurses that it plans to hire permanent replacements for those who continue to walk the picket line.

The hospital said it would prefer to have the striking nurses back and was urging them to return to work. The strike began April 19.

"We sent a fax notification to union leadership letting them know we're proceeding with the permanent replacement," said Scott Share, a Lourdes spokesman.

The fax was sent Monday, followed by a letter yesterday, he said. They informed nurses of the openings and the hospital's intent to search for replacements if the strikers do not report to work within seven days.

Pierre Joanis, a nursing union negotiator, said he had not received the notice but was "absolutely not fazed" by the move.

He said he was convinced that the National Labor Relations Board would rule that striking nurses would have to be hired back. He also said the shortage of registered nurses was so acute that the hospital could not attract enough replacements.

Hospital officials said they had to act because hiring temporary replacement workers had proved a financial strain. They also said the National Labor Relations Act permits the move.

The hospital has been contracting with the Colorado-based U.S. Nursing Corp., which specializes in finding temporary replacements for striking nurses.

"We can't keep waiting," Share said. "We have to recruit people. As we recruit them, they have to know there's a commitment."

Each nurse contracted through the agency costs the hospital about $72 an hour, said Dennis Sparks, human-resources director. None receives benefits through the hospital.

Paying the regular staff, including benefits, cost $40 an hour, Sparks said.

He said the hospital wanted to fill more than 100 nursing positions.

About 280 nurses in the local chapter of JNESO, the nurses' union, walked out after working a month past the expiration of their two-year contract.

The hospital said more than 80 had crossed the lines to return to work.

The two sides remain split over contract language that would allow the hospital to alter work shifts as it saw fit. Administrators said they needed the flexibility to modernize operations and make them more cost-effective. Union officials said agreeing to such terms not only would drastically affect the quality of life for many nurses, but also would be a giant step back for the union.

A negotiating session is scheduled for Friday.

Contact staff writer Frank Kummer at 856-779-3220 or fkummer@phillynews.com.


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Have seen NOTHING re the unions side in the press or news. JNESO, the nurses' union should have been more proactive in getting their message out.

Can't negotiatie if hospital doesn't set up sessions.

[barefootlady]

Yep, you got it. I am not going to cross a picket line. These nurses are trying to win a fair wage, fair schedule and benefits. If more nurses would support union efforts then we all could make good wages and have better benefits.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Interesting how one-sided the coverage has been Karen. I see you noticed that right away, you are sharp.