Trial over staffing issues in Colorado between Local 7 and Kaiser starts Monday [Video]

DENVER — A years-long legal battle between Kaiser Permanente and UFCW Local 7 is getting closer to a resolution.

A federal trial is scheduled to start Monday at 8:30 a.m. as Local 7 hopes the judge will make Kaiser increase staffing, while Kaiser hopes the judge will have Local 7 do more when it comes to their part in a collective bargaining agreement.

TIMELINE LEADING UP TO THE TRIAL:-10/14/21: Local 7 files complaint against Kaiser-1/13/22: Amended complaint filed by Local 7-10/21/22: Kaiser files answer and counterclaim-1/13/24: Federal trial scheduled to start

One part of the battle is the interpretation of something called the Patient Care Article which reads as follows:

The parties recognize their mutual and ethical responsibility to provide sufficient staffing to meet quality standards of patient care, workload, and other issues affecting patient care, including, but not limited to, assuring adequate coverage, sick replacement, overtime, and to assure that no employee is required to work …