UPDATE:  Nurses at two Wichita hospitals along with a hospital in Texas have set a date for a one-day strike as contract talks continue with the Ascension hospital group.

Nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis and Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph will strike on Tuesday, June 27th.   The date was announced by the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses Union.   Nurses will also strike for one day at Ascension Seton Medical in Austin, Texas.

The notice will give hospitals time to prepare alternate plans for patient care.  Ascension Via Christi released a statement in response to the strike date:

We are disappointed National Nurses United has made the decision to proceed with a one-day strike, especially given the hardship this will present for our associates and their families, and the concern this action may cause our patients and their loved ones.
Patient safety is our top priority, and Ascension Via Christi is well-prepared to remain open and care for our patients during this work stoppage event. We have a comprehensive contingency plan in place to ensure there is no disruption in care or service for those we are privileged to serve.

Contract talks are continuing, with the main issues including staffing and nurse recruitment and retention.

(previous story)

Union nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph hospital in Wichita have voted to authorize a strike in contract negotiations with management.   The vote had 90 percent of the nurses voting to authorize a strike.

This is the third Ascension facility where nurses have authorized a strike.   Nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis hospital in Wichita voted in May to authorize a strike, along with nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin in Austin, Texas.   The nurses recently unionized by joining the National Nurses United organization.

The issues deal with staffing and nurse recruitment and retention.  If a decision is made to strike, nurses will provide a standard notice ten days in advance.