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8 J U N E 2 0 0 5 C A L I F O R N I A N U R S E News | Briefs Comer, CNA's Sutter Division Director. "We are excited that 3,500 other Sutter nurs- es are joining this contract fight with Sutter. At this point, one key goal is to align CPMC's contract expiration date with other facilities, so that Sutter cannot drag this facility through another year- long battle." CPMC RNs won sizeable gains in their pen- sion plan as well as fighting back a 50 percent cut in the per diem differential. The fa- cility, however, is fighting the RNs' demands for retro- activity. "We are committed to insuring that CPMC RNs get a settle- ment when the rest of the Sutter facili- ties do," said Comer. SEIU United Healthcare Workers— West, formerly known as SEIU Local 250, has open contracts at all their Sut- ter facilities as well. CNA and SEIU share common bargaining goals for improvements in pension, retiree health, and staffing. UC AND CNA STILL FAR APART IN TALKS T he contract covering 9,000 RNs at five University of California med- ical centers and nine student health centers expired on April 30 with the sides far apart on all major issues. At press time, the contract had been extended to May 20, with bargaining ses- sions scheduled for May 17 through 20. Among the most impor- tant issues are those dealing with staffing and technology. "We cannot always rely on the state to enforce staffing ratios and acuity rules," said Janice Webb, RN, from UC San Diego. "We are fighting to include our own rules in the contract." Webb added that the RNs are seeing an increased threat from the improper use of information technology. "We need con- tract protection to ensure that RNs' clinical judgment is not threatened, and that new technology is imple- mented in a way that keeps the interests of the patient at the forefront." Wages are also a critical issue. "UC nurses are among the lowest paid in each area," said Suzanne DePalma, RN, from UC Davis. "We have become a revolving door, as new nurses come to UC for a year or two of training, and then leave because they can't afford to work here anymore." Historically, UC has had the best RN pension in the state, and that pension has been a key factor in recruiting and retain- ing UC nurses. But not only have nurses at other CNA facilities in recent years won real pensions, UC is threatening to require that its employees, including RNs, pay part of the cost of the pension plan. "We are demanding contract language to protect us against cost-shifting as well as preventing UC from switching our pen- sion to a 401(k)," said Manny Punzalan, an RN from UCLA. "If we had to start pay- ing for our pensions, there would be no reason for nurses to stay at UC." Punza- lan pointed out that UC is also threaten- ing their retiree health benefits, which are critical to UC RNs. UC is also trying to force a punitive "Paid Time Off" plan on the RNs, which would require RNs to use up to 24 hours of vacation time when they fall ill. In reality, the plan would endanger patients and other coworkers by pushing nurses to come to work sick rather than use up their vacation time. Nurses adamantly oppose the PTO plan. "UC has not been responsive to our needs on these key issues, or on many of the other important issues we've raised," said Tam Nguyen, an RN from UC Irvine. "Nurses in 2005 are not going to allow UC to erode our practice. Although we're hoping for a peaceful resolution to this contract, UC nurses statewide are ready for a fight." UMC NOT INTENT TO BARGAIN, RNs DIG IN A fter more than a year of bargain- ing for a contract at University Medical Center, during which the hospital has tried to break the will of nurses by moves such as hiring anti- union consulting firm, IRI Consultants to Management, nurses there are more determined than ever to fight for a fair and equitable contract. RNs at UMC have carried out two successful one-day strikes against Com- munity Medical Centers. It appears that CMC, the largest private employer in Fresno, is determined to weather the financial impact of these strikes, so CNA is turning its attention to one of their biggest vulnerabilities—their pub- lic image. CNA is waging a corporate cam- paign to draw attention to CMC's unwise business decisions, recently chronicled in the Fresno Bee, which hurt patient care and keep the nurses' pay and ben- efits the lowest in the area. CNA, other unions, and local activists held a large and spirited rally May 11, and CNA will be gathering public petitions against the hospital, to be followed by mass actions. The nurses are not backing down. " If wea had to start paying for our pensions, there would be no reason for nurses to stay at UC. "