National Nurses United

COLORADO O vercoming months of delay from hospital management seek- ing to block the outcome, registered nurses at Longmont United Hospital in Longmont, Colo. finally won their union representation in March. After National Labor Relations Board officials rejected a last employer appeal, board officials counted the remaining bal- lots on March 25, securing the win for Longmont RNs to become members of National Nurses Organizing Committee. "We are ecstatic," said Longmont RN Kris Kloster. "Longmont RNs are ready to get to work negotiating a fair contract for the best conditions for our patients and our community." NNU President Zenei Triunfo-Cortez, RN congratulated the Longmont RNs "for your patience through a long process to ensure your victory and your phenomenal dedication to upgrading patient care for your community. NNU is proud to welcome you and stand by you." "With the backing of the NNU, we will have a powerful collective voice to strengthen patient safety standards, improve infectious disease protocols, secure enforceable protec- tions from workplace violence, and win other standards to help recruit new RNs and retain experienced nurses," Kloster said. Longmont will be the first private-sector NNU-affiliated hospital in Colorado; NNU already represents VA Eastern Colorado Health Care system hospitals in Denver and Aurora, among more than 175,000 RNs from coast to coast. In the months since the initial vote in July 2021, Longmont RNs have continued to build unity among nurses throughout the hospital. In early December, the RNs held a speak-out to alert the public about safe staffing concerns and the growing loss of RNs unwilling to work in what they viewed as unsustainable and unsafe conditions. "We know that with a union contract, and the experience that NNU affiliates have demonstrated across the nation, we can address our concerns for urgent conditions today, and for the future of all Longmont patients and residents," said Tricia Hartley, a Longmont RN. The Longmont facility, a Centura Health hospital, is partially owned by Common- Spirit Health, an alliance of Dignity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives that is the largest nonprofit hospital chain in the United States. NNU has long experience with the Dignity system, and currently rep- resents 14,000 Dignity Health RNs in 29 hospitals in California and Nevada. With the election count now completed, Longmont RNs called on the hospital administration to respect the democratic decision of the RNs heading into talks for a fair first contract. RNs will next elect a team of their peers to represent them in bargain- ing with the employer. "I've seen RNs break down into tears at the end of a shift and even during work because we want to provide the best care possible but are unable to with how short- staffed we are," said Longmont RN Alison Jelinek in December before the speak-out. She urged the administration "to work with us to improve the hospital." —Charles Idelson Union victory in Colorado! RNs at Longmont Hospital vote to form first private-sector union in Colorado for NNU NEWS BRIEFS A pplications are now available for scholarships administered by the California Nurses Foundation for the benefit of California Nurses Association members in selected geographic areas, or for stu- dents pursuing ADN programs in selected states. The 2022 application deadline for all scholarships is July 15, 2022. Complete information and online forms to apply can be found at the CNA or National Nurses United websites under the "Resources" tab, or at the following link: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/cnf-scholarships Get help paying for school! Applications for the California Nurses Foundation Scholarships Available May 1, 2022 4 N A T I O N A L N U R S E 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 J A N U A R Y | F E B R U A R Y | M A R C H 2 0 2 2

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