Issue link: https://nnumagazine.uberflip.com/i/1068650
O C T O B E R | N O V E M B E R | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G N A T I O N A L N U R S E 13 CALIFORNIA R egistered nurses at Methodist Hospital of Southern California in Arcadia, Calif. voted overwhelm- ingly on Nov. 13 to join the Califor- nia Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU). This vote, covering 650 RNs at the facility, represents the largest number of non-union nurses in Southern California to unionize in at least five years. "This overwhelming vote sends a strong, unmistakable message to non-union RNS, across Southern California and throughout the nation that in this challenging climate— with so many nurses enduring a challenge from emboldened employers to their ability to provide safe care for their patients and achieve economic security for themselves and their families—it is a collective union voice with CNA and NNU that offers protection." Nurses are looking forward to having a say in patient care. "This is a great day," said Shelly Perks, a registered nurse on the inten- sive care unit. "Often management has implemented policies without our input, even though these decisions too often impact patient care adversely. Finally, our voices will be heard." Key issues for the RNs in voting to join CNA were the desire for a stronger collec- tive voice on patient care issues, especially in improving safe staffing based on the state's minimum nurse-to-patient ratios law, and the severity of illness of individual patients. The nurses are also seeking an end to unsafe floating of RNs to clinical areas for which they do not have clinical expertise or experience, an end to missed meals and breaks which can leave nurses dangerously fatigued, and measures to ensure RNs receive pay and benefits competitive with other CNA-represented hospitals in order to retain and recruit experienced RNs. —Rachel Berger CALIFORNIA R egistered nurses at Stanford Health Care's ValleyCare Medical Center in the Tri-Valley area of California voted overwhelmingly in September to join the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU). The nurses at the Livermore and Dublin campuses will join the same bargaining unit as the nurses at the Pleasan- ton campus. "I am thrilled with this vote, and I look forward to working out a contract that will translate into safe quality care for our patients," said Lou Puposki, a registered nurse in the urgent care unit with 28 years of experience. "We have seen a revolving door of nurses here. With a strong contract, we will be able to attract and retain the most experienced nurses and create an environ- ment that gives nurses the space to assess, treat, and advocate for our patients at the highest level possible." Nurses say key issues in their decision to join the union were the desire for a stronger collective voice on patient care issues, espe- cially in improving safe staffing levels based on the state's minimum nurse-to-patient ratios law. Nurses also want to see an end to unsafe assignment of RNs to clinical areas for which they do not have clinical expertise. Stanford acquired formerly independent ValleyCare in 2015. In April, the registered nurses at Pleasanton ValleyCare voted to join CNA. Management initially blocked the Livermore and Dublin nurses from joining that vote, but the National Labor Relations Board sided with the union, saying the nurs- es should be allowed to join the same bargaining unit.—Staff report Stanford ValleyCare RNs unionize Arcadia Methodist RNs vote resounding yes to CNA