WHC spent $6 million to replace striking nurses: Wouldn’t it be cheaper to negotiate agreements before strikes?

WHC spent $6 million to replace striking nurses: Wouldn’t it be cheaper to negotiate agreements before strikes?

According to the Washington Hospital Center, it cost the hospital $6 million to replace striking nurses with 600 temporary hires, including paying for additional security for the five-day strike.  After months of stalled negotiations, the nurses planned a one day strike for Friday, March 4; management, however, locked striking nurses out additional four days, preventing their return until Wednesday, March 9. Relations between nurses and management have been tense since the February 2010 blizzard last year, when 18 nurses were fired after they did not show up for work.  Only 9 them were reinstated.

Who really suffers when management and labor can’t negotiate?

Highlighted Clip for Friday, March 11, 2011:

"Nurses' strike cost Washington Hospital Center $6 million"

Washington Hospital Center spent about $6 million to hire 600 temporary nurses, beef up security and cover other costs during last week's nurses' strike and subsequent lockout at the region's largest hospital, hospital officials said.