National Nurses United

12 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 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 2 2 WRAP-UP REPORT California MONTEREY COUNTY in october, registered nurses in Monterey County's health system voted 96 percent in favor of ratifying their very first collective bargaining agreement as RNs represented by the California Nurses Association (CNA). Since the state of California certified the nurses' card check in May 2021, CNA repre- sents more than 500 nurses at Monterey County health facilities, including county's only Level II trauma hospital, Natividad Medical Center, health department clinics, and juvenile hall health facilities. "We are very excited because the new pact sets the stage for improving conditions at Monterey County," said Jennifer Jean Pierre, RN in the ICU unit at Natividad Medical Center, of the four-year contract. "They address some of our most pressing patient care concerns, such as ensuring safe staffing for the benefit of both patients and nurses, protecting the health and safety of nurses, and recruiting and retaining RNs." Contract highlights include safe staffing provisions, health and safety language, workplace violence protections, the estab- lishment of a Professional Practice Committee, increased tuition reimburse- ment, and wage increases of 17 percent across the board over the life of the contract. SHASTA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER rns at shasta Regional Medical Center in Redding ratified a new three-year contract in October. CNA represents 220 nurses at the facility. "It took more than a year to reach this deal, but we are so gratified to see how our solidarity paid off in order for us to get a fair contract that will benefit our entire com- munity," said Michelle Gaffney, a registered nurse in the intensive care unit. The major wins in the agreement include protections against unsafe floating, education training reimbursement and bonuses for nurses who earn specialized certifications, and improved health benefit language. The nurses also won average wage increases of 22 percent over the term of the agreement. A month after the nurses' settled, ancillary health workers represented by the Caregivers & Healthcare Employees Union (CHEU) also ratified a new three-year contract that they say will strengthen their ability to provide bet- ter patient care and retain and recruit their colleagues. "We fought long and hard over half a year to be able to reach this historic agreement," said Frances Lloyd, a respiratory therapist and a CHEU member. "The hospital has finally recognized the value of our skills with more than just empty words." PROVIDENCE SAINT JOHN'S HEALTH CENTER in november, RNs at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica rati- fied a new three-year contract. The agreement covers more than 500 nurses and includes patient safety wins, such as getting the highest level of personal protective equipment when caring for patients sus- pected of having Covid, RN participation in the hospital's pandemic task force, and com- prehensive workplace violence prevention language. Nurses also won increased tuition reimbursement and wage increases for 18 percent over the life of the contract. With step increases, many RNs will see a 24 per- cent increase. The new contract also includes equity and inclusion provisions, including a com- mitment to a workplace free from racism and unlawful discrimination. Additionally, nurses now get credit for all their work experience gained outside the United States, instead of only half, ending Saint John's dis- criminatory payment practice for immigrant nurses. Nevada SAINT MARY'S REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER rns at saint mary's Regional Medical Center in Reno held a silent vigil in Novem- ber, to demand that hospital management respect patients, community, and nurses and to honor their colleague Darrella Lydell, RN, who worked in the labor and delivery unit for 21 years and passed away on Nov. 14. The vigil was held less than a week after Saint Mary's announced its plans to terminate Maternal Child Health services, displacing patients who need those vital services and nurses who work in the units caring for those patients. "Diminishing access to critical serv- ices like these is a disservice to that mission and to the entire Reno area," said Heather Wehking, an RN in the labor and delivery unit. Maine MILLINOCKET REGIONAL HOSPITAL in november, RNs at Registered nurses at Millinocket Regional Hospital in Millinocket ratified a new three-year contract, winning protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention. "This contract greatly improves our ability to recruit and retain nurses which is essential to safe patient care," said Dyana Gallant, RN and a bargaining team member. "We also made improvements that hold the hospital accountable for mak- ing sure the workplace is safe and measures are being taken to prevent workplace vio- lence." Highlights of the contract include work- place violence prevention protections, including reporting language and security precautions; investment in continuing edu- cation, and no contract takeaways. —Staff report From top: Monterey nurses stand up for a fair contract; Saint John's nurses celebrate their new agreement; Millinocket nurses win a new contract. NEWS BRIEFS

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