National Nurses United

NewsBriefs:2 4/24/08 1:19 AM Page 7 FREMONT-RIDEOUT NURSES FACE 10-DAY LOCKOUT AFTER THIRD STRIKE remont-rideout Health Group RNs dealt another blow to their employers on March 21, when they walked out on strike for a third time. A majority of RNs from the Marysville and Yuba City facilities picketed for one day just before the Easter weekend over issues that include safe staffing and union rights. FRHG responded by locking RNs out for 10 days. Tensions are running high in these small communities, about 45 minutes north of Sacramento. FRHG is the largest healthcare employer in the area, and a 10-day lockout means that many RNs are losing an entire paycheck. In an open letter to the community, FRHG RN Shannon Glen noted that "Yuba-Sutter counties have the third worst unemployment rates in the nation," and that "Yuba County [has the] second-highest foreclosure rate in the state, Sutter County [the] sixth." Facing the loss of nearly two weeks' income, many FRHG RNs were forced to take registry work at other hospitals in Sacramento or Chico. "A lot of our RNs are single parents or provide the sole source of income for their families," says Karen Miles, RN, a Rideout Cancer Center nurse and member of the FRHG bargaining team. "Some of them are losing 60 to 70 hours. People are angry." Although pay is not the issue of contention for the nurses, FRHG management has been using money as leverage in the conflict. FRHG has taken out dozens of full-page ads in the Marysville Appeal-Democrat to decry and criticize the nurses' movement, and has spared no expense in bringing in replacement workers. "There are literally millions of dollars going out of state," says Heather Avalos, an RN at Rideout Memorial Hospital. Some of Avalos' colleagues on the Rideout picket line reported that replacement workers were earning up to $2,000 a week after taxes—a sum that does not include management and agency fees, travel expenses, and hotel bills, which FRHG must also pay. The amount of money FRHG is willing to spend on resisting RNs' bargaining demands F APRIL 2008 is only proof that "this isn't about management giving up money, it's about giving up power," says Nadene Henderson, a Rideout Cancer Center RN. As with the previous two strikes, RNs and community members alike have expressed grave concern about the ability and competence of replacement nurses. "Cancer patients are very educated about healthcare," Miles reports. "They immediately notice changes in the quality of care when replacement workers arrive. They support us wholeheartedly because they know that we are the ones that have their best interests at heart." Moments later, Miles ran to embrace a patient, her head bare from chemotherapy, who had briefly appeared on the picket line to show support for her caregivers. Many of the striking RNs referred to their management's affinity for citing policies that seem to change depending on what would best put the RNs at a disadvantage. Others noted that vacation or holiday pay was retroactively cancelled after strikes, as if in punishment. Colleagues also expressed concern that management was taking advantage of an RN whose immigration status hangs in the balance and another who speaks English as a second language. As the weather warmed on the day of the strike, RNs from both facilities gathered on a sun-dappled strip of grass across from Fremont Medical Center to receive words of encouragement from their nurse leaders, union colleagues, and families of patients. Steve Wight of the California Teachers Association urged FRHG management to return to the bargaining table and drew parallels between nursing and teaching: "For us, our students and our patients are our number one priority. Money is not an issue." "This is a proud and honorable strike," Gary Stucky of Sutter/Yuba County Employees Association, PEU Local 1 told assembled RNs and supporters. "You should walk the lines with dignity, for your resolve to one another is deeply rooted." When asked why, in the face of a 10-day lockout, they persevered in striking, RNs gave similar answers. "The financial strain is ultimately not important," says Cher Jardin, a Rideout cancer center RN. "It's worth it to stand up for what you believe in. No one else will fight for you." She adds that she takes her ethics from growing up in a union family, and emphasizes the importance of setting an example for her 9-year-old daughter. "She understands why I have to stand up for my values." "We can always give up some other expenses," agrees Hau Dao, another Cancer Center RN. "But we must never give up the fight." "I've lived here my whole life," says Darren Cardoza, an RN in Fremont Medical Center's ICU. "This is my community, and I'm not going away. We're in this for the long haul." He adds with a smile, "I can always make the hours up later this year." FRHG's last, best, and final offer was presented on Jan. 8. Management has refused to bargain or meet with RNs since then. —staff report CALIFORNIA W W W. C A L N U R S E S . O R G REGISTERED NURSE 7

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