National Nurses United

14 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 A P R I L | M AY | J U N E 2 0 2 5 NEWS BRIEFS WRAP-UP REPORT California ALAMEDA AND SAN LEANDRO registered nurses at San Leandro Hos- pital in San Leandro and Alameda Hospital in Alameda, voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new five-year contract in April. The nurses, who work for Alameda Health System, fought hard for and won an agree- ment that will improve patient safety and nurse retention. Highlights of the contract include improvements to scheduling prac- tices that prioritize nurses who live and work in the community over non-union nurse travelers, protections to ensure RNs receive meal- and rest-break periods, and economic gains that establish parity between nurses at each facility with a minimum of 25 percent over five years, and no takeaways to benefits. "Every single article of our contracts was up for negotiation and nurses upheld the high standards of care we've historically fought for," said Linda Strack, RN at Alameda Hospital. "Because we remained united in our goal to improve nurse and patient health and safety, this landmark agreement raises the bar for the recruitment and retention of Bay Area nurses." GLENDALE nurses at usc Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale ratified a new four-year pact in April. The new agreement includes technol- ogy protections, including against the expansion of artificial intelligence in the nursing field; new access to paid time off for nurses who are affected by natural disasters; historic improvements to wages, shift differ- entials, and stand-by/on-call pay; and no contract takeaways. "We are so happy with the gains we have made," said Ruby Carpo, RN in the emergency depart- ment. "The hospital put a variety of take- aways on the table, and we beat them all back. We won a con- tract that will help us recruit and retain the skilled nurses our patients deserve." Across California and Nevada registered nurses at 27 Common- Spirit/Dignity Health facilities in California and Nevada ratified a new four- year contract in June. The contract maintains all existing patient care and workplace protections, fully preserves pen- sion and retiree health benefits, and includes wage increases across the board, with additional market adjustments in select regions. Additionally, there were no concessions or contract takeaways for the more than 13,500 nurses represented by California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee. "With this critical milestone achieved, we can now turn our collective focus to the broader social issues that affect our commu- nities—including the urgent need for humane immigration reform, protecting health care from further cuts, and opposing harmful federal reductions that threaten essential public services," said Phil Penn, RN in the intensive care unit at St. Mary Med- ical Center, Long Beach, Calif. North Carolina ASHEVILLE in may, registered nurses at Mission Hospital in Asheville held a rally to demand HCA restore Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) to their approved list of health providers. Mis- sion management did not notify nurses and other Mission staff about this major change in coverage, which now means MAHEC physicians are out of network. With the ongoing physician shortage in western North Carolina and very long wait times to establish a relationship with a doctor, this change leaves Mission RNs and staff with- out timely access to health care. Nurses only found out about this change from other nurses or when their coverage was denied. State law requires 45 days' written notice before ending or changing group coverage. "I am outraged that Mission manage- ment did not notify us that care through MAHEC is no longer being covered," said Hannah Drummond, RN and chief nurse representative. "I have been going to MAHEC providers for years. I was stunned to be denied coverage for an annual physical and immunization. This is unconscionable." As one of the only in-network providers for many specialties, MAHEC is a critical health care provider for HCA employees at Mission Hospital. Previously covered care will now cost nurses hundreds or even thou- sands of dollars. Nurses are demanding that HCA immediately reinstate MAHEC cover- age, be transparent about all health plan changes, and provide access to all care at Mission Hospital. RNs are also filing com- plaints with the North Carolina Department of Insurance about HCA violating the law. —Staff report FROM TOP: Alameda Health nurses during a picket for improved patient safety; Mission nurses protest man- agement canceling coverage of key provider MAHEC.

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