University of California seeks restraining order against more than 10,000 nurses who are threatening to strike
San Jose Mercury News
June 5, 2010
The University of California said Friday it is seeking a restraining order against more than 10,000 nurses who are threatening to strike next Thursday.
Nurses at five UC hospitals have threatened a walkout, saying staffing problems are endangering patients.
The UC issued a statement saying the Public Employment Relations Board will seek the injunction in San Francisco Superior Court on Tuesday.
UC official Dwaine Duckett said patient safety is being leveraged by the union as a negotiation tactic.
In a statement, UC said the union threatened to strike in 2005 but that "walkout was blocked by a court order, which cited the risk to public health and safety."
California Nurses Association spokesman Chuck Idelson said the public board is stacked with conservative appointees, and the union has followed legal requirements to strike.
"Rather than blocking democratic rights of nurses they should try to work with us to try and resolve very serious staffing problems at UC hospitals. They are putting patients at risk," said Idelson.