On April 27, 2012, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1199, representing Civista Medical Center‘s registered nurses, issued a one-day strike and picketing notice to the Medical Center for a labor action to be held from 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, until 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2012.

Civista and the SEIU have been in bargaining sessions since December 2011 in an effort to come to agreement on a new three-year labor contract for registered nurses at Civista.

The hospital’s final offer was rejected by the Union Bargaining Committee on April 25, and a strike vote was called. Civista was issued a strike notification on April 27, 2012, before the voting was concluded.

Compensation for an average full time registered nurse at Civista is over $77,500 per year. Benefits include 30 days paid leave, comprehensive health benefits, as well as tuition assistance, among other things. A pension plan is also provided.

The offer proposed by Civista will increase nursing salaries by 9.75% over three years, with NO reductions in paid time off or other benefits or pension plan.

This offer is fair to Civista‘s registered nurses in that it keeps their compensation at or above market levels, as well as providing reasonable annual increases for the next three years.

While SEIU nurses may leave their patients, Civista will not. Preparation for highly qualified and trained traveling nurses to supplement staff have been completed. Civista Medical Center will be fully operational throughout this labor action.