National Nurses United

WRAP-UP REPORT California MODESTO registered nurses at Stanislaus County in Modesto voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new three-year contract in Septem- ber, winning protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention. The nurses, nearly 100 members of California Nurses Associa- tion said they were proud of their new contract, which addresses recruitment and retention issues, provides health and safety protections, and addresses inequity. The RNs also won meal- and rest-break language guar- anteeing breaks, economic gains, and no takeaways to benefits. PLEASANTON in october, rns at Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley in Pleasanton voted overwhelm- ingly in favor of ratifying a new three-year agreement. CNA represents more than 550 nurses at Tri-Valley, winning strong work- place violence protections that give nurses a voice in addressing workplace violence and support after violent incidents. Other con- tract highlights include meal- and break-relief for all units for the entire shift and wage increases of 18 percent over the life of the contract. "Through our solidarity, nurses were able to secure a stronger contract that helps to prevent workplace violence and keep nurses and patients safe in the hospital," said Arrielle Bouligny, RN in the ICU. LANCASTER nurses at Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) in Lancaster voted 92 percent in favor of ratifying a new four-year contract in November. CNA represents more than 900 RNs at AVMC. The nurses won improved recruitment and retention practices, includ- ing transparency in AVMC's hiring practices; new language creating a float pool for the Women and Infants Pavilion, provid- ing much-needed staff to the obstetrics units; and wage increases of 20 percent over four years across the board, and step increases ranging from 4 to 12 percent over the life of the agreement. "Our RN bargain- ing team believes this new union contract is a great step in the right direction to recruit and retain nurses for AVMC and our com- munity," said Kathleen Stalter, RN in the telemetry unit. "We stood together for our patients, and we won." CHICO in november, registered nurses at Enloe Health in Chico overwhelmingly voted in favor of ratifying a new four-year pact. RNs won workplace violence protections, meal- and break-relief nurse staffing for all units, infectious disease protections for RNs and the community, natural disaster protections, and wage increases of 18 percent across the board over the life of the contract, including preserving health care costs for four years. CNA represents nearly 1,100 RNs at Enloe. "Through the solidarity of Enloe nurses, along with the support of the community, we were able to secure language that will ensure that a balance of skills and experi- ence is maintained in the hospital," said Kelsey Norton, RN in the radiology unit. Maine nurses at Northern Maine Medical Center (NMMC) in Fort Kent picketed outside their hospital in October, calling on man- agement to bargain in good faith. NMMC nurses voted in January to join Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses Organ- izing Committee (MSNA/NNOC) and their first bargaining session with the hospital was in April, but bargaining has been slow due to management's unwillingness to meet and reluctance to bargain in good faith. "NMMC needs to step up the pace and bar- gain in good faith," said Ami Maxwell, RN in NMMC's emergency department and union bargaining team member. "They may not want to, but it's their obligation under the law." Texas registered nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center (ASMCA) in Austin, held a rally and speak-out in October to protest management's refusal to address chronic short staffing that jeopardizes patient safety. The nurses, members of National Nurses Organizing Committee, say ASMCA man- agement also refuses to adhere to provisions of their collective bargaining agreement, including safe staffing ratios. ASMCA nurses have filled out more than 300 assign- ment despite objection (ADO) forms, documenting unsafe staffing. NNOC repre- sents more than 1,100 RNs at ASMCA. "We have been working to improve staffing but it is an uphill battle," said Kat Alvarado, RN in the labor and delivery unit. "Management continues to prioritize profits over patient care. Their staffing decisions are putting our patients at risk." —Staff report From top left clockwise: Antelope Valley nurses celebrate a new contract; Northern Maine Medical Center RNs persevere in their fight for a first contract; Texas nurses protest and speak out against short staffing. 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 4 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

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