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J U LY | A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9 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 11 CALIFORNIA T he california Nurses Associa- tion in July applauded the decision by California Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign an important hospital inspection bill to protect the ability of registered nurses and other health care employees to speak privately with a state hospital inspector during an inspection by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). S.B. 322, introduced by Sen. Steven Bradford and sponsored by CNA, adds language similar to existing rights under the Labor Code. Currently, under California Labor Code Section 6314, registered nurses are allowed to speak privately with inspectors from the Califor- nia Division of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) about health and safety violations or concerns. With the passage of S.B. 322, health care workers can speak freely and privately to CDPH hospital inspectors without the presence of hospital management. "Registered nurses have a responsibility to advocate for their patients and to ensure they get the best care possible," said CNA/NNOC President Zenei Cortez, RN. "This critical law allows nurses to be effec- tive advocates for patients and speak openly about conditions in hospitals and facilities." —Staff report CALIFORNIA R egistered nurses at Shasta Regional Medical Center (SRMC) in Redding, Calif. won a first contract in May which adds new patient care protections and allows nurses more power to advocate for patient safety. The three-year agreement covers about 350 registered nurses, who voted in Septem- ber 2018 to unionize with the California Nurses Association. "We are so pleased to have reached an agreement that addresses the critical staffing issues and workplace safety issues," said RN Trish Weaver, a member of the negotiating team. "This contract will be a huge benefit for patients and our community." Nurses say the contract goes a long way to address the issues of recruitment and retention of experienced nurses at SRMC. "It's a great feeling being able to stand up for our patients and for ourselves; I am thankful that I was able to take part in these negotiations," said RN Michelle Gaffney, negotiating team member and progressive care unit nurse. "It has been a very reward- ing experience getting to know my coworkers better through this fight and being able together to push to make the changes necessary for SRMC to be a place people are proud to work at and patients feel safe coming to for help." Key contract provisions included creation of a professional practice commit- tee; average wage gains of 26 percent over three years for current nurses that will greatly help retain experienced staff, as well as a raising of starting rates that will boost recruitment of new hires; improved union and workplace rights for nurses, including a strengthened grievance procedure for disputes; and paid time for nurses to receive further education to improve their practice. —Staff report Shasta Regional nurses win first contract Nurses gain stronger whistle-blower protections ARNO MASSEE | GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO