National Nurses United

NEWS BRIEFS Michigan RNs score staffing victories over corporations MICHIGAN ns at two Michigan Nurses Association-represented facilities recently triumphed over growing corporations that threaten to turn patients into nothing more than dollar signs. First, nurses at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo went into negotiations determined to improve staffing. Administrators at Borgess—which is part of Ascension Health, the largest Catholic health system in the country—were unmoved as nurses shared personal examples of how unsafe staffing endangers their patients. They gave the usual excuses: everything is fine; nurses and management just need to work better together; safe staffing is too expensive. The nurses weren't buying it. And they weren't budging. After every negotiating session, the bargaining team rounded with fliers to keep members informed and stay in touch with their priorities. The result? A three-year contract with guaranteed staff ratios. "Our top priority was always getting Borgess administration to guarantee adequate nurse staffing to protect our patients' safety," said Jamie Brown, RN, president of the Borgess Staff Nurse Council. "This agreement finally achieves that." The contract includes progressive steps of accountability for short staffing that are R 4 N AT I O N A L N U R S E driven by the nurses and the union. If management repeatedly violates the unit nurse-to-patient ratios, the issue can be taken to arbitration by a third party. The contract also includes very favorable economics: wage increases over the life of the contract, plus a new clinical ladder bonus and protection of employee healthcare benefits. Meanwhile, McLaren Lapeer Region members were continuing their long battle against chronic understaffing. Many had become active in ways they'd never imagined as they advocated for their patients. "The people I take care of are counting on us to keep them safe," said RN Cori Wirth. "When we can't do that, it's time for me to step out of my comfort zone and say 'enough is enough.'" The nurses maintained a united front and engaged the community through actions, such as presenting CEO Bart Buxton with a petition signed by the majority of the RNs, wearing "Safe Staffing Now" buttons, running a newspaper ad, launching an online petition for the community, and writing letters to the editor. A well-attended rally at a local park was a turning point, with McLaren experiencing unwanted media coverage about their longstanding choice to put the budget above the needs of patients. The administration agreed on the nurses' proposals later that week, and the membership overwhelmingly ratified the contract. The victory sends a strong message to W W W. N AT I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G McLaren as it grows in Michigan. Buxton had bragged about running the "leaneststaffed" hospital in the corporation, and Lapeer was supposed to set a new (low) bar for nurse staffing. Instead, Michigan Nurses Association RNs raised that bar. From left: Borgess Their four-year Staff Nurse Council contract improves bargaining team RNs nurse-patient ratios Chris Sherlock, Jamie in many units and Brown, Kathy Hillman, establishes them for Donna Farrell, Becky the first time in Baldwin, and Emily others; gives nurses Fredericksen; primary more input on the Lapeer bargaining staffing committee team RNs Dawn Smith, and requires Joanne Hatcher, Sally management to Hataway, Karmen respond to staffing Angoli, and Cheryl concerns in a timely Weston (on ground). manner; prevents Not pictured: Sara management from Maddox and Becky forcing nurses to Hauxwell. work on units where they are not properly trained; and expands the pool of staff nurses available to fill gaps in the schedule on all units. The contract also includes step increases every year, annual wage increases, increased PTO accrual rates, and preservation of the employees' current healthcare benefits. Cheryl Weston, RN, chair of the McLaren Lapeer Region RN Council, said the contract is a testament to the strength and solidarity of the union there. "While the new contract provides resources and rules we insisted on to help with safe staffing, it's up to us as nurses to enforce it and hold management accountable," Weston said. —Dawn Kettinger O C TO B E R 2 01 3

• Cover