National Nurses United

C A L I F O R N I A N U R S E M A Y 2 0 0 5 11 S utter Health, one of the largest hos- pital systems in Northern California, and one that has gained particular notoriety for its patient care practices and reductions of community services, will be a major focus in CNA's 2005 bargaining campaign. In late April, CNA opened talks for RNs in six Sutter facilities including Alta Bates-Summit Medical Center, Mills- Peninsula, Eden, Sutter Solano, Sutter Clearlake, and St. Luke's, and Marin General opens in September. CPMC is also open. "In negotiations three years ago," notes Corinne Comer, CNA's Sutter division director, "we were successful in unifying the expiration date for RNs at six Sutter facilities. Now we are united at the bargaining table to press for further improvements in retirement security, retiree health, and patient care conditions, especially compliance with the ratios." UHWW's (SEIU) contracts are also open at Sutter, with common bargaining goals on issues like pensions, retiree health benefits, and staffing, as well as working on public campaigns to challenge Sutter policies. "This is obviously not the position Sutter wanted to find itself in— both unions open at once, with common bargaining goals," said Comer. "Even though Sutter has invested a lot in dividing us, this bargaining will unite us." Staffing is a central issue in Sutter hospitals, Comer noted. Sutter manage- ment has been among the most egregious in violating the letter and spirit of the ratio law with dilution of RN skill mix and failure to provide relief RNs. Other important issues include the CNA-wide technology proposal, and the excessive use of travel- ers for extended periods of time—CNA is seeking a ban on subcontracting of RN work. Additionally, many Sutter RNs are con- fronting Sutter managers for pressuring RNs to reduce overtime, even while effec- tively forcing them to work excessive hours to complete patient care and docu- mentation requirements. The result is both speed-up and intimidation, which has been met with CNA protest actions at Summit-Alta Bates and other facilities. Sutter is also reeling from its failure to meet JCAHO standards at several hos- pitals—Summit-Alta Bates, Sutter Solano, and Marin General—and, RNs say, is engaging in punitive actions as part of its effort to respond to the severe lapses identified by JCAHO and to retain its accreditation. Additionally, Sutter is facing communi- ty anger over its plans to reduce services in several communities throughout the region. Scores of San Francisco residents, along with UHWW (SEIU) and CNA repre- sentatives, packed a special San Francisco Board of Supervisors hearing on March 30 to fight any effort to close or sharply reduce services at St. Luke's hos- pital, which serves a substantial segment of the low income population of San Francisco' Mission District. Sutter has refused to divulge its full plans or involve the public in what many believe will be a consolidation of St. Luke's with California Pacific Medical Center into a new hospital on the current site of the Cathedral Hill Hotel, which could result in either a closure of St. Luke's or a sweep- ing reduction of services. CNA and UHWW cite other examples, such as the Alta Bates merger with Summit where Sutter promised to main- tain or expand services, but then began making cuts, and closed OB services at Summit. Sutter has also faced extensive chal- lenges from two former public hospital dis- tricts, Mills Peninsula Health Services and Marin Healthcare District, over Sutter's plans on the Peninsula and in Marin County as Sutter tries to pressure those communities to provide lease extensions or face potential service cuts. Sutter a Major Focus in 2005 Sutter RNs are seeking common contract expirations and terms, and a systemwide organizing agreement.

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