Calling a hike in rate of availing health care services demanded by the Hospital Corporation of America as unfair, culinary union members protested near the Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas on Thursday. The members who protested were estimated to be 500.

“We've been trying to get something done in good faith, and they've been unwilling to grant an extension. They've been unwilling to come down on their asking”, said protester Tommy Blitsch, principal officer of Teamsters 631. Blitsch said he was at the failed negotiation meeting, was one of several pickets who had heard they could face a 6-7% overall rate hike on services.

The Hospital Corporation of America owns Sunrise, Mountain View and Southern Hills hospitals. The Health Services Coalition, which is responsible for negotiating health plans for 20 organizations, including the Culinary Health Fund, Clark County and Las Vegas firefighters, will have a meeting with HCA on Monday, to negotiate what is believed to be a three-to-four-year contract by midnight February 29.

If the negotiation is not achieved, three hospitals and four HCA-owned surgical care clinics would be out of network for nearly 275,000 Southern Nevadans, who include firefighter, police, constriction workers, and hotel workers, represented by the coalition.

These Nevadans receive their health insurance through this coalition. The union member confirmed that they want to highlight the needs of members and their families, who demand affordable rates for gaining health services.