Nurses' strikes at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez canceled

Planned strikes of nurses at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez are eventually canceled. The cause of this action was successful negotiations and closed bargains.

Photo: Nurses' strikes at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez canceled

The strikes were to start March 21 and last for three days. The central issue was cuts on nurse retirement and health care benefits.

About 500 registered nurses planning to spur turmoil at county health clinics and jails could have cost medical service net $1 million - $1.5 million in expenses.

But still there remain some urgent undecided questions, among them are ratios, training and work conditions, compensation and health care issues. They be handled at the next bargaining session on March 17.

Nurses are still going to organize a 10-day strike against 10 hospitals affiliated with Sutter Health. Among them are Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland and Berkeley, Eden in Castro Valley, San Leandro Hospital, Sutter Delta in Antioch, Mills-Peninsula in Burlingame and San Mateo, and Sutter Solano in Vallejo.