KALISPELL — Logan Health union nurses in Kalispell are on strike in hopes of pushing hospital administration to listen to their concerns. Logan Health administration has said that they are happy to meet with the union nurses in a productive manner.
The nurses say they are striking this week due to discrimination against union nurses and a demand for higher pay.
“Patient staffing is a big thing for us being able to retain our nurses and in order to do that they need to be able to live here in the valley. Along with that is some of our health care benefits that we're fighting for in our contract,” said Angel Garrido, a union nurse at Logan Health.
Garrido was one of the scores of people MTN saw picketing that demand contract negotiations with Logan Health administration for what the union says are unfair labor practices. A union spokesperson says those unfair labor practices include discrimination against the union nurses and denial of new assignments in retaliation for being a part of the union.
“While I appreciate your frustrations, your recent behaviors do not lend to reaching any successful conclusions," Logan Health president Craig Lambrecht said in a written statement. "We are focused on the potential disruption of services that you have fostered and our duty to care for patients will take precedence over any bargaining dates.”
Logan Health spokesperson Chris Leopold said more than 150 nurses have offered to work during the strike, adding that more than 100 nurses who were scheduled to work on the days of the strike have committed to fulfilling their shifts. Additionally, many more who were not scheduled have volunteered to work.
Lambrecht also stated that he is thankful for the nurses that have shown up for their duties.
The union nurses plan to strike through Friday.
