Hospital Nurses Urge Compromise on Pact

Warning that they are poised to strike, several Ventura County Medical Center nurses on Tuesday urged county supervisors to force hospital administrators to compromise on a long-simmering contract dispute.

Last week, the nurses flatly rejected what hospital administrators say is their best and final offer, and no new contract talks are scheduled.

However, the nurses say they still hope to work out the differences.

Under the administrators’ contract proposal, the hospital would switch some shifts to trim overtime costs and allow managers to lay off nurses from individual units rather than by seniority.

However, the nurses say the proposal--which could come to the board for approval next month--would undermine seniority rights and weaken the quality of patient care at the county’s only public hospital.

“We don’t want this contract shoved down our throats without them at least trying to meet us halfway,” said nurse Sharon Madonna, who attended the supervisors’ meeting. “Hey, get a clue. We are very important to what goes on at the Ventura County Medical Center.”

The supervisors listened as Madonna and others spoke, but the board members did not comment during the meeting on the nurses’ request.

Afterward, Supervisor John K. Flynn said the county is in a difficult position because the hospital has been losing money.

“We do have to be sensitive to the nurses’ needs, but we do have a financial difficulty there,” Flynn said. “We have gone from a well-off county to one that is struggling because of the economy.”