Kadlec nurses plan informational picket over safety, staffing concerns

RICHLAND, Wash. - Nurses at Kadlec Regional Medical Center say growing issues such as proactive safety measures and fully guaranteed breaks are pushing them to the picket line.

The Washington State Nurses Association, which represents 1,054 nurses at the Richland hospital, plans to hold an informational picket from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, outside the facility.

Union representatives say they are now in their 17th day of bargaining, including sessions this week with the assistance of a federal mediator. Despite mediation, several issues identified as top priorities by nurses before negotiations began remain unresolved, prompting the planned picket.