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12 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 O C T O B E R | N O V E M B E R | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 News Briefs WRAP-UP REPORT California Citrus VAlley MeDiCAl CeNter rns at citrus valley Medical Center in the San Gabriel Valley approved a new contract in September that includes stronger protections for nurses and patients, and economic improvements. The new four-year pact covers the 800 RNs at who work at Citrus Valley Medical Center, which includes campuses at Queen of the Valley in West Covina and Inter-Community in Covina. The proposed pact includes an across-the-board pay increase of 14 percent for all RNs, which nurses say is critical to keeping experienced RNs at the bedside, as well as recruiting new nurses. The contract also offers a compre- hensive workplace violence prevention plan, strengthened patient handling procedures, and improved staffing. "We successfully made the case regarding safe staffing ratios and RN recruitment and retention. These demands are essential to improve the func- tioning of our hospital," said Vicki Gallagher- Keena, an RN negotiator. HeMet VAlley MeDiCAl CeNter some 300 nurses at Hemet Valley Medical Center in southern Riverside County ratified in December a new three- year contract that will provide economic improvements while rebuffing takeaways. Hemet RNs staved off hospital manage- ment efforts to erode restrictions on unsafe clinical assignments and their ability to take needed time off. The settlement is especially gratifying, RNs said, after years of financial turmoil at the former district hospital that is now operated by Physicians for Healthy Hospitals/KPC Global. RNs will receive pay gains of 5 percent over the next three years on the years-of-experience wage grid. Specialty care RNs, who are not on the employer-sponsored health plan, will see a significant additional increase to correct past pay disparities. PAlOMAr HeAltH registered nurses and caregivers at Palomar Health in North San Diego County voted yes in December to new four-year contracts covering more than 3,000 employees that will bring significant improvements in patient care protections and working conditions for RNs and care- givers. The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) represents Palomar RNs, and Caregivers and Healthcare Employees Union (CHEU), a CNA affiliate, represents other hospital employees. RNs and care- givers emphasize that these contracts are the result of united union membership to advocate for patients served by Palomar Health, the largest public hospital district in California. Contract highlights include: economic gains, increased worker power to advocate on issues such as infectious disease and workplace violence, dedicated patient lift and transport teams throughout the facility, and adequate meal and rest breaks. "Nurses and caregivers are the caring hands that heal," said Paci- ta Balcom, a certi- fied nursing assistant. "They know patient care and advocate everyday for what's best for patients." riDeOut regiONAl MeDiCAl CeNter rns voted unanimously in November to approve a new contract at Yuba County and the surrounding region's only acute-care hospital, Rideout Regional Medical Center in Marysville. The new pact covers 530 registered nurses and includes significant improvements and workplace pro tec- tions that will enhance the hospital's ability to retain and recruit staff which, in turn, provide experienced and skilled care for community residents in a stable environ- ment. "The new contract will encourage new nurses to stay and this will help address the hospital's high turnover rate," said Sarah Belmonte, RN, CVICU. "This is essential for building up a team of experi- enced RNs that really understand the needs of our diverse patient population. The recent Oroville Dam disaster underscored the vital role our hospital plays in this region." Contract highlights include: economic gains including 7.75 percent in wage increases and 7.75 percent in step increases over the three-year course of the agreement, more educational and training opportunities for nurses, and expansion of RN input on patient care issues. tri-City MeDiCAl CeNter after 14 months of negotiations, regis- tered nurses at Tri-City Medical Center in October settled a 3.5-year agreement From top: Palomar RNs and caregivers celebrate a strong new contract; hospice workers in Maine hold candlelight vigil for patient care issues, fair contract.