Registered nurses at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula voted in favor of union representation by the California Nurses Association (CNA) in a vote count held Friday.The California Nurses Association says nearly 500 nurses voted to join the CNA. The CNA will now represent 800 nurses at CHOMP.While the election has not yet been formally certified by the National Labor Relations Board, an NLRB agent confirmed the outcome is in favor of the union, according to a spokesperson for Montage Health.“Montage Health respects the outcome of the vote and the voices of our nurses at Community Hospital,” said Monica Sciuto, public information officer for Montage Health. “We honor their decision and will work within the new framework to maintain our shared commitment to exceptional patient care and a positive work environment.”Nurses say they pushed to unionize because they’re concerned about short staffing. They say low staffing levels can limit how much time they spend with each patient and can make it difficult to get breaks during 12-hour shifts—sometimes leaving them to skip meals or hand patients off to coworkers who are already fully assigned, according to a CNA media release.Nurses also say they’re upset the cafeteria closes in the evening, which they believe reduces patients’ access to hot meals. Some nurses say they have bought food for patients with their own money.“I am thrilled we will be able to start bargaining on the things that matter most, like patient care, safe staffing, and workplace violence prevention policies,” said Kristine Olalia, an RN in the orthopedic unit.The CNA claims CHOMP has more than enough money to address these issues.The nurses will now move to elect their bargaining team and prepare to negotiate their first contract.Montage Health said it will not be taking additional questions at this time.See more coverage of top Central Coast stories | Download our app / Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

MONTEREY, Calif. —

Registered nurses at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula voted in favor of union representation by the California Nurses Association (CNA) in a vote count held Friday.

The California Nurses Association says nearly 500 nurses voted to join the CNA. The CNA will now represent 800 nurses at CHOMP.

While the election has not yet been formally certified by the National Labor Relations Board, an NLRB agent confirmed the outcome is in favor of the union, according to a spokesperson for Montage Health.

“Montage Health respects the outcome of the vote and the voices of our nurses at Community Hospital,” said Monica Sciuto, public information officer for Montage Health. “We honor their decision and will work within the new framework to maintain our shared commitment to exceptional patient care and a positive work environment.”

Nurses say they pushed to unionize because they’re concerned about short staffing. They say low staffing levels can limit how much time they spend with each patient and can make it difficult to get breaks during 12-hour shifts—sometimes leaving them to skip meals or hand patients off to coworkers who are already fully assigned, according to a CNA media release.

Nurses also say they’re upset the cafeteria closes in the evening, which they believe reduces patients’ access to hot meals. Some nurses say they have bought food for patients with their own money.

“I am thrilled we will be able to start bargaining on the things that matter most, like patient care, safe staffing, and workplace violence prevention policies,” said Kristine Olalia, an RN in the orthopedic unit.

The CNA claims CHOMP has more than enough money to address these issues.

The nurses will now move to elect their bargaining team and prepare to negotiate their first contract.

Montage Health said it will not be taking additional questions at this time.

See more coverage of top Central Coast stories | Download our app / Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel