Thousands of registered nurses walked off their jobs at 7 a.m. today for the start of what is expected to be a two-day strike at 15 Northern California hospitals. Union officials said as many as 5,000 nurses were expected to participate in the strike, which is directed at Bay Area hospitals affiliated with the Sutter Health network. At least 80 nurses were picketing this morning at Alta Bates Medical Center in Berkeley at a low-key protest. Many cars honked their horns in support of the nurses as they drove by the picket line. The nurses, represented by the California Nurses Association, have been negotiating for new contracts since April. The nurses say the main sticking points are reduced health benefits.
See "Nurses walk off jobs at Bay Area hospitals", Victoria Colliver, San Francisco Chronicle, October 9, 2007