<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4KuGiR_18GILo6m00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4KuGiR_18GILo6m00" width="1320" height="743" >RICHLAND, Wash. - Nurses at Kadlec Regional Medical Center say growing issues such as proactive safety measures and fully guaranteed breaks are pushing them to the picket line.The Washington State Nurses Association, which represents 1,054 nurses at the Richland hospital, plans to hold an informational picket from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, outside the facility.Union representatives say they are now in their 17th day of bargaining, including sessions this week with the assistance of a federal mediator. Despite mediation, several issues identified as top priorities by nurses before negotiations began remain unresolved, prompting the planned picket.One of the union’s main concerns is workplace violence and hospital security. Nurses say they have encountered patients and visitors bringing weapons into the hospital, including guns, knives, razor blades, small blowtorches, and even a cane sword, often without being detected. Union officials say nurses have also found people sleeping in hallways and experienced assaults and threats from patients and visitors.“We see more weapons coming into the hospital,” said Milari Romero, a representative with the Washington State Nurses Association. “There’s a lot more people carrying weapons that can be hidden more easily. Kadlec does not have any type of system, we feel, to help us with that right now.”According to the union, nurses have filed 109 incidents of workplace violence since Oct. 1, 2025.WSNA has proposed proactive security measures, including weapons detection systems at two hospital entrances and increased, consistent security staffing, particularly in high-risk areas such as the emergency department. While management has agreed to strengthen language around the hospital’s Workplace Violence Committee, the union says Kadlec has rejected proposed security enhancements, calling them “extreme and unreasonable.”Another major issue is breaks and break relief. Nurses say many units regularly fail to provide legally required, uninterrupted meal and rest breaks during 12-hour shifts, raising concerns about fatigue and patient safety. The union says management previously declined to add break relief nurses and instead proposed a nine-month review process to study missed breaks without committing to concrete solutions.WSNA emphasizes that the picket is informational and that patient care will continue, with many nurses scheduled to work during the event. Union leaders say the action is intended to raise awareness in the community about safety conditions inside the hospital.“This isn’t just about nurses,” the union said in a statement. “It’s about protecting patients, staff, and everyone who walks through the hospital’s doors.”Kadlec leaders provided KEPR News the following statement in response to WSNA:"We understand Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) has planned an informational picket for Monday, January 26. While we respect our nurses’ right to engage in informational picketing, we are disappointed they have chosen to do so, as we believe the best place to resolve outstanding issues is at the bargaining table, through open discussion and good-faith negotiations.We care deeply for our nurses and their well-being. We remain fully committed to reaching a fair agreement that supports our nurses while also ensuring we can continue to provide safe, high-quality, and reliable care to those who depend on us. We will continue to act with integrity and transparency, focused on what matters most; our patients and our caregivers who serve them.All Kadlec facilities will be operating as usual, and patient care will continue uninterrupted.We look forward to our next bargaining sessions and are hopeful that together we can make meaningful progress towards our shared goals."</div></body>

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RICHLAND, Wash. - Nurses at Kadlec Regional Medical Center say growing issues such as proactive safety measures and fully guaranteed breaks are pushing them to the picket line. The Washington State Nurses Association, which represents 1,054 nurses at the Richland hospital, plans to hold an informational picket from 8:30 to...

Kadlec nurses plan informational picket over safety, staffing concerns

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RICHLAND, Wash. - Nurses at Kadlec Regional Medical Center say growing issues such as proactive safety measures and fully guaranteed breaks are pushing the

Kadlec nurses plan informational picket over safety, staffing concerns

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