Unionized nurses and technicians at a Santa Fe hospital have rejected another contract offer from management.
Sunday's tally of the vote shows the Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center workers rejected the latest offer overwhelmingly. The previous offer also was soundly rejected.
Hospital spokeswoman Arturo Delgado says managers are disappointed by the vote. Union local President Fonda Osborn says the union wants to return to the bargaining table.
Staffing issues are a major issue in the dispute.
The current contract expires Thursday but the union has withdrawn the strike notice it issued after workers rejected the first contract offer.
However, Osborn says the latest vote authorizes the union to steps ranging picketing to a strike.
Fonda says the union last conducted a strike in 1988. It lasted eight days.
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