Nurses to strike over snowstorm firings

By Washington Post editors

The union representing 1,600 nurses at Washington Hospital Center voted overwhelmingly over the weekend to approve a one-day strike to protest the firing of 18 nurses who failed to report to work during and after the February snowstorms, a union spokeswoman announced Monday.

With 675 nurses voting, members voted 526-147 in favor of a one-day strike, more than the two-third majority required. Two members abstained.

Nine of the nurses have since returned to work.

The union had argued that hospital used unfair labor practices when it fired the nurses for not reporting to work.

Federal law requires the union to give management 10 calendar days notice before a strike can occur. The union, which is in contract negotiations with hospital management, is asking that the nurses who were terminated be given their jobs back with back pay.

A strike date has not yet been set.

A hospital spokeswoman said the union has not formally notified managers of the vote.

"While we are disappointed in the outcome of this vote, we have a full contingency plan in place and will take all necessary steps, including bringing in qualified replacement nurses to care for our patients in the event of a strike," the hospital said in a statement.

--Lena Sun