Union officials representing workers at Salinas valley memorial hospital have filed a lawsuit against hospital administrators. The complaint alleging unfair labor practices was filed with the state public employee relations board yesterday(w). Union officials claim that workers who staged a strike on Tuesday were retaliated against, with a lockout. Hospital administrators deny wrongdoing, and maintain that regular workers are welcome to return, however the hospital was forced to sign a 3-day contract with replacement workers, who were arranged to cover shifts during the planned strike. Union officials say a 10-day notice is required for such a lockout, which was not given. The dispute that sparked the strike relates to cost-cutting measures, including proposed layoffs and pay cuts. Meanwhile, a handful of protestors moved operations from in front of the Salinas hospital, to a board members house.
