Although the California Nurses Association has approved the strike for three days, some nurses have said they will only strike for 24 hours.
The Community Health Systems-owned hospital has said its nurses are some of the highest paid in the area, with an average hourly wage of $67.66, but the nurses have disputed the figure.
The nurses claim they are striking not for wages but to improve staffing and patient safety issues, arguing the hospital violates the state mandated nurse-to-patient ratio when nurses are on break.
The hospital remains open during the strike using temporary replacement nurses, according to the report.
Read the KSBW News report on Watsonville Community Hospital.
Read more coverage on nursing strikes:
– Minnesota Nurses Prepare for Largest Strike in U.S. History
– Nurses on Strike at Philadelphia’s Temple University Hospital
– Nurses Begin Three-Day Strike at Children’s Hospital Oakland
