Eden Medical Center followed through Tuesday on its pledge to lock out workers who went on strike last week.
Employees, aware of the lockout threat late Monday, attempted to report for work at the Castro Valley hospital at 6 a.m. Tuesday -- the end of a one-week strike.
They were met at the emergency-room entrance by security guards and hospital officials who notified the striking members that they could not return until their contract has been settled.
Some 300 vocational nurses, nursing assistants, operating room technicians and other workers at the hospital are represented by Local 250 of the Service Employees International Union United Healthcare Workers West.
Management and union representatives renewed negotiations Tuesday, with Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, helping mediate.
The strike began Feb. 28. The union wants increased staffing levels, an employee education fund and the right to unionize without fear of harassment.
