Healthcare workers authorize potential strike

The National Union of Healthcare Workers has been in negotiations for a new contract with USC for almost seven months.

By BENJAMIN GAMSON

Workers at Keck School of Medicine of USC and the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center have “overwhelmingly” voted to authorize a strike, the National Union of Healthcare Workers announced Aug. 22.

A vote total was not provided but the union wrote that it was “nearly unanimous” and that turnout was 86%.

The authorization of a strike means that the bargaining committee can call a strike whenever it sees fit, but the committee has not announced a start date or duration. Negotiations are set to continue Aug. 28.

Workers have been in negotiations for a new contract for almost seven months and want a plan to address understaffing. They are also protesting a proposed plan from USC that they claim will “freeze” certain wages and no longer offer a free family Health Maintenance Organization plan.


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