Headline News | Press Releases
Rady Children’s Hospital Nurses And Med Techs Vote For Teamsters
(SAN DIEGO) – Today, the nurses and medical technicians, who are members of the United Nurses of Children’s Hospital (UNOCH), overwhelming approved affiliating with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The final vote revealed more than 70 percent of members that voted approved of the formal affiliation.
UNOCH had been an independent union for many years, but the leadership believed that a formal alliance with Teamsters would provide for a more promising future in order to sustain good wages, benefits, and working conditions. The 1,700-worker unit will receive a charter as Local 1699, affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Randy Cammack, President of Teamsters Joint Council 42, applauded the outcome. “I am proud to welcome these professionals into our union,” Cammack said. “These nurses and medical technicians provide valuable life-saving services to countless children in need of care.The Teamsters will add value to the excellent work UNOCH representatives have done for so many year.”
“This was a clear choice that our members made to reaffirm their commitment to the mission of Children’s Hospital, while voicing their need for a better future for themselves and their families,” said Katie Langenstrass, RN, and UNOCH’s Executive Director.
The vote to affiliate with the Teamsters means more than 1,700 nurses and medical technicians will become members of a 1.4 million member international union.
“I’d like to welcome our new brothers and sisters from UNOCH,” said Michael Filler, Director of the Teamsters Public Service Division. “The vote by Rady nurses and medical technicians is reflective of our union’s growing experience in the medical/health care fields, where we represent over 38,000 employees in 32 states.”
“The Teamsters have the resources, expertise and clout to negotiate the strongest contracts possible in the health care professions. This vote shows that Rady Children’s Hospital employees understand this and want Teamster power at the bargaining table,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “We have been successful representing health care employees across the country, including those employed in cities, towns, counties and public universities, such as the University of California system and San Bernardino County.”
Teamsters Joint Council 42 is the parent body of 22 Teamster local unions in Southern California and other areas of the West, with more than 200,000 working Teamsters and retirees.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.