National Nurses United

6 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 J U LY | A U G U S T 2 0 1 5 NEWS BRIEFS MASSACHUSETTS M assachusetts rns at a num ber of hospitals ratified new con - tracts in June and early July. In mid June, after just a hand- ful of negotiating sessions over two months, the 2,214 nurses represented by the Massa- chusetts Nurses Association at the UMass Memorial and UMass University campuses cast overwhelming votes to ratify respective one-year contracts that provide the nurses with needed staffing increases, a modest pay raise, and a novel "Respectful Relationship" clause that the nurses hope will lead to safer care for patients and a more satisfy- ing environment. "The nurses are relieved to have reached this settlement without the rancor and discord of previous negotia- tions, and the staffing improvements included in this contract should help improve the quality of care for the patients who de pend on this hospital," said Lynne Starbard, RN, co-chair of the MNA local bargaining unit representing the 976 nurses on the Memorial/Hahnemann campus. Later that month, coworkers with Leominster Hospital, another facility in the UMass Memorial Health Care system, settled a three-year contract with UMass Memorial HealthAlliance less than a week after nurses took an overwhelming vote in favor of striking. Nurses say the new deal improves RN-to-patient staffing inside the hospital and patient safety overall. "As we said last week, no RN ever wants to strike," said Natalie M. Pereira, RN and chairperson of the MNA bargaining unit. "But we were willing to move in that direc- tion if we had to. Instead, we are proud to announce that, while meeting with hospital management yesterday, we were able to reach across the table, shake hands, and agree to new language that will give our patients long-term access to the quality of nursing care they have come to rely on from their community hospital." Highlights of the tentative agreement include language that will limit nurses' patient assignments to no more than five patients at a time; that will add new nursing positions throughout the hospital; that will guarantee charge nurses will not carry a patient assignment; that protects benefits for all RNs; and that gives a reasonable wage increase for nurses. Elsewhere in the state, the nurses of Newton Wellesley Hospital voted in early July to ratify a new union contract, also narrowly averting a strike. The one-year pact includes language the nurses sought to reduce the floating of nurses as a staffing mechanism, a 1 percent across-the-board pay raise for all nurses retroactive to Oct. 1, 2014, and no change in the nurses' current benefit package. The new contract would expire on Sept. 30, 2015.—David Schildmeier RNs across Massachusetts settle contracts MICHIGAN O n june 10, about 150 nurses and community members held an infor- mational picket outside of Alpena Regional Medical Center, a signifi- cant turnout for a small town in northern Michigan. The event gave RNs the platform they needed to advocate for a fair collective bargaining agreement prioritizing patients. "Management is attempting to remove language from our contract that ensures we have enough nurses on duty at all times to keep patients safe. Not if I can help it!" said Jenny McClendon, RN. The contract between Alpena Regional Medical Center and 183 RNs represented by the Michigan Nurses Association expired on Feb. 28, 2015. On March 25, the member- ship unanimously voted to reject the agree- ment because it would put hospital profits above safe patient care. Rather than investing the resources needed to attract and retain nurses, management is asking for unnecessary cuts to fatten its own bottom line, most notably drastic changes in health insurance. According to its financial report for 2013, the Alpena Regional Medical Center is making a generous profit. "If we accept unnecessary cuts to benefits, I fear that qualified nurses will be forced to leave our hospital in search of better jobs and patient care will suffer," said RN Lori Mousseau. Supporters rallied at the Sanctuary Inn before marching to the public sidewalk in front of the hospital. During a two-hour information- al picket, they waved signs and chanted, calling on the hospital to invest in safe patient care. The nurses were warmly received by the community. "The nurses who care for our friends and neighbors should be able to afford health- care for their own families," said local resi- dent Ruth Splitt. Ruth's son, Jeremy, is a frequent patient at ARMC. More than 20 years ago, Jeremy was in a severe car accident and suffered a closed head injury. To this day, he receives hospital treatment two or three times per week. "I am here today to support Alpena nurses in their fight for a fair contract, so that they can continue to provide the best in lifesaving care to families like yours and mine," said Splitt. —Sara Wallenfang Northern Michigan RNs picket for a fair contract

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