When Health Care Employees Strike

This thoroughly revised and updated second edition of When Health Care Employees Strike is an essential survival guide for health care administrators who must plan for and cope with the inevitable labor dispute. Written by Kenneth Kruger and Norman Metzger-- two experts in the field of health care labor relations-- this much-needed resource includes the critical information and useful strategies health care executives must have in order to be properly prepared. The authors provide detailed information on labor law, an analysis of the different types of disputes, advice on how to use mediation effectively, suggestions for assessing manpower needs before a strike occurs, and ideas for preparing contingency plans. In addition to presenting information on ways to prevent strikes, the book also contains a comprehensive step-by-step manual to ensure health care organizations can continue operation during a labor dispute.

Acknowledgements ix

About the Authors xi

Introduction xiii

Part 1 Health Care Strikes: Legal and Moral Implications

1 The Impact of Labor Legislation on the Health Care Industry 3

2 Types of Strikes: Causes and Characteristics 19

3 Strike-Related Actions: Union and Management 29

4 Nursing Strikes: A Breed Apart 45

5 The Future: Proposals for Change 59

Appendix A: Ashtabula General Hospital Nurse Strike Chronology 74

Appendix B: The Use of Interest Arbitration in the Public Sector 81

Part 2 Sample Strike Plan

Strike Planning Committees 95

Human Resource Policies 97

Financial Policies and Procedures 101

Personnel Plan 105

Patient Care Services 110

Food Services 126

Accommodations 128

Engineering and Plant Operations 130

Supplies Subcommittee 136

Security 138

Labor-Employee Relations 141

Morale Committee 142

Communication 145

Index 149

Kenneth F. Kruger is president of Healthcare Human Resources Consulting Consortium, LLC, an association of professionals in human resources management and labor relations. He is past president of the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA).
Norman Metzger is the author, coauthor, and editor of fifteen books and has written more than one hundred articles on the topics of labor relations, personnel administration, and social behavior. He is a recipient of the Annual Award for Literature from the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA). He is also past president of the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA). A labor strike can cripple a health care institution, forcing the administration to cut back or completely cancel essential services. And in today's uncertain environment, it is not uncommon for health care organizations to be faced with the dreadful prospect of a strike.
This thoroughly revised and updated second edition of When Health Care Employees Strike is an essential survival guide for health care administrators who must plan for and cope with the inevitable labor dispute. Written by Kenneth Kruger and Norman Metzger— two experts in the field of health care labor relations— this much-needed resource includes the critical information and useful strategies health care executives must have in order to be properly prepared. The authors provide detailed information on labor law, an analysis of the different types of disputes, advice on how to use mediation effectively, suggestions for assessing manpower needs before a strike occurs, and ideas for preparing contingency plans. In addition to presenting information on ways to prevent strikes, the book also contains a comprehensive step-by-step manual to ensure health care organizations can continue operation during a labor dispute.
When Health Care Employees Strike, Second Edition, contains a wealth of resources including:

• Analysis of the role of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
• Review of the National Labor Relations Act
• Discussion of the different types of strikes
• Examination of a health care labor strike
• Proposal for change
• Sample forms and checklists for use during a strike

The manual begins with a series of outlines that provide clear direction in a time of potential chaos.

"This excellent book, written by two very smart friends of mine, should be read by labor relations professionals, human resources professionals, their colleagues, and the people they work for in health care."
--Bruce McIver, president, League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes of New York

"Essential reading for anyone in health care who might experience a labor dispute."
--Sidney D. Seligman, senior vice president of human resources, Saint Barnabas Health Care System

"This book is a must for all those in health care leadership positions."
--Gary Rosenberg, senior vice president, Mount Sinai NYU Health

"This excellent book, written by two very smart friends of mine, should be read by labor relations professionals, human resources professionals, their colleagues, and the people they work for in health care."
— Bruce McIver, president, League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes of New York

"Essential reading for anyone in health care who might experience a labor dispute."
— Sidney D. Seligman, senior vice president of human resources, Saint Barnabas Health Care System

"This book is a must for all those in health care leadership positions."
— Gary Rosenberg, senior vice president, Mount Sinai NYU Health