INCREDIBLE CNA/NNOC victory in Houston.

Published

I'm posting this fast, and don't yet have all the details, but here is what I do know:

CNA just won a representation election for the RNs at Cypress Fairbanks Hospital, a part of the Tenet chain in Houston Texas.

Other than a small number of RNs employed by the federal government, this represents the first unionized nurses in the entire state a very tough organizing environment. It is the first major fruits of a three year statewide campaign.

The election was run under an organizing agreement won at the bargaining table by Tenet nurses in California.

Don't yet have numbers or other details, will make a second post when I do. I've met some of these Texas nurses and they are just the greatest. This is only the first of many organizing victories to come in this state.

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i'll just add a bit more detail here now that i have it.

the margin of victory was close - 119 to 111, but in a very anti-union environment, we'll take it and gladly!

i will now just add a quote from our organizing director, david johnson, who says it better than i:

"an incredible achievement. we win the first union election for rns in texas, 300 rns at cypress fairbanks in houston! in a ferociously anti-union environment, facing a large anti-union campaign orchestrated by the entire hospital industry in texas, we pull off a stunning upset.

this election changes the course of history in texas, and for rns around the country.

it's a validation of our nnoc groundbreaking work in texas for the past two years, and the fruit of our patient grass-roots organizing with literally thousands of bedside nurses in texas. this election was made possible because of the climate created by that painstaking organizing, and dozens of our key nnoc rn leaders in texas participated in this sweet victory.

and of course it couldn't have happened without the incredible mobilization and fighting spirit of thousands of rank-and-file cna/nnoc rns in tenet hospitals, who fought for a great contract and a breakthrough national organizing agreement.

and none of it would be possible without the leadership of cna/nnoc having the courage and vision to fight for what we believe in--and the confidence in direct-care rns to fight for their rights, their future, and to change the face of healthcare. this election was the most "bottom-up" organizing victory imaginable."

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Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

:yeah:

Texas Our Texas http://www.50states.com/midi/0tx.mid

The Eyes of Texas http://ingeb.org/songs/theeyeso.mid

Deep in the Heart of Texas http://ingeb.org/songs/deepinth.mid

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/TRAUMA/ECMO/BURN/PACU/.

Wow, just what we needed here...a little victory dance music!

Those Texas nurses have won a great victory. Despite the hostile busting going on, they knew that the only remedy that could protect them from the abuse is being organized with NNOC.

http://www.calnurses.org/nnoc/about-nnoc.html:redpinkhe

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Congratulations Texas nurses!!! This win came from a hard fight waged by nurses in a very hostile environment. When the nurses lead the fight as is CNA/NNOCs tradition its their win and they bring that enthusiasm to the hard steps after-a contract with patient advocacy language in addition to wages, pension and working conditions. In Ohio it was not the nurses fight with their collective, public struggle. Many were completely confused by the election news. Union-employer agreements don't set the stage for the work that comes later-ratios, PPCs, retirement benefits. Watch these nurses. They are making history!

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Specializes in Peds, PICU, adult telemetry.

Yes, David, Texas nurses under the leadership and direction of the CNA/NNOC-Texas have worked tirelessly to bring our patient safety issues and working conditions to the limelight. Facing the ever present Texas Nurse's Association anthem that they have taken care of all of our issues has just made us stronger and more determined. We will not rest until every nurse in Texas has the opportunity to organize with an RN only union...this does not mean we are not planning for the rest of our co-workers to gain a voice in their employment, we are...we simply mean most nurses, given the chance, would prefer to be represented by a union that is run by registered nurses. We have the legal responsibility in Texas of protecting our patients by securing and maintaining a safe environment to care for them. Nurses want the highest standards of care for our patients not the minimum. Texas nurses want laws that have teeth to protect nurses who are forced to become whistle-blowers in order to provide these protections for Texas patients. Texas nurses want safe nurse-to-patient ratios based on the acuitiy of each individual patient. We will no longer accept nursing laws that enable hospitals to staff as they wish without the input of bedside nurses. CNA/NNOC has stepped up to the plate to assist us in achieving our goals. Cypress Fairbanks nurses fought and won a huge battle to overcome our Texas Hospital Association and Texas Organization of Nurse Executives. Those two organizations hosted workshops across our state for nursing executives to 'arm themselves with methods to prevent unions' in their facilities. Shame, shame. Heavy-handed anti-union literature popped up in hospitals across our great state, especially at HCA and Tenet facilities. It did not work...nurses saw through those efforts and continued to spread the truth...nurses united voices are powerful! Congratulations to all of the hard working Tenet nurses...you are envied.

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Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

First Unionized Hospital in Texas

Cypress Fairbanks Hospital, Houston RNs Vote to Join Nation's Largest RN Organization

..."Finally our voice will be heard," said Josie Jupio, RN. "This victory of the nurses' unity will bring a change for the better, impacting patient care, improving the benefits and assuring an open door policy that is fair to all."

"This is indeed a victory for all patients, and all the staff providing care for them," said Jeanette Thornhill, RN....

...While Cypress Fairbanks, part of the Tenet Healthcare system, is the first hospital where the RNs will be covered by a union contract, NNOC Texas has spread its roots far and wide in Texas with members and hospital committees from El Paso to Dallas to Austin to Brownsville to San Antonio...

...--

"Union means unity for the good of all, especially our patients who are the cause we are here for," said Cypress Fairbanks RN Purita Reyes.

Chris Williams, RN, noted the proximity of the election date with the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. Williams called the civil rights movement and the union movement the nation's "two most progressive movements. We nurses at CyFair will try to expand upon (Dr. King's) vision with respect to patient care in Texas."...

http://www.sunherald.com/447/story/456631.html

Page 2 http://www.sunherald.com/447/story/456631-p2.html

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Specializes in ICU,CCU,OB,L&D,ED,MS.

Go Texas.........d'yall know that Texas is the only state with the legal ability to secede from the US. It in their contract. To all disappointed Ohio health care workers.....when nurses control their practice, with the ability to advocate for their patients, the work environment improves, and all health team members benefit. NNOC/CNA is contributing to support safe staffing ratios in Ohio, with the help of many Ohio nurses. :yeah:

Yes, David, Texas nurses under the leadership and direction of the CNA/NNOC-Texas have worked tirelessly to bring our patient safety issues and working conditions to the limelight. Facing the ever present Texas Nurse's Association anthem that they have taken care of all of our issues has just made us stronger and more determined. We will not rest until every nurse in Texas has the opportunity to organize with an RN only union...this does not mean we are not planning for the rest of our co-workers to gain a voice in their employment, we are...we simply mean most nurses, given the chance, would prefer to be represented by a union that is run by registered nurses. We have the legal responsibility in Texas of protecting our patients by securing and maintaining a safe environment to care for them. Nurses want the highest standards of care for our patients not the minimum. Texas nurses want laws that have teeth to protect nurses who are forced to become whistle-blowers in order to provide these protections for Texas patients. Texas nurses want safe nurse-to-patient ratios based on the acuitiy of each individual patient. We will no longer accept nursing laws that enable hospitals to staff as they wish without the input of bedside nurses. CNA/NNOC has stepped up to the plate to assist us in achieving our goals. Cypress Fairbanks nurses fought and won a huge battle to overcome our Texas Hospital Association and Texas Organization of Nurse Executives. Those two organizations hosted workshops across our state for nursing executives to 'arm themselves with methods to prevent unions' in their facilities. Shame, shame. Heavy-handed anti-union literature popped up in hospitals across our great state, especially at HCA and Tenet facilities. It did not work...nurses saw through those efforts and continued to spread the truth...nurses united voices are powerful! Congratulations to all of the hard working Tenet nurses...you are envied.
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I am so proud of and grateful for those Texas nurses at CyFair! I know how nasty Tenet gets in union-bashing. These nurses must be made of stern stuff. I am so delighted to have such strong patient advocates join the ranks of the NNOC/CNA.

Way to go Texas! Yellow roses for you all! And I'm so happy for the patients in Texas (I have family there) who will see the standards for safe care improve and improve. Texas Ratios are on the way!! WooHoo and YeeHaw!

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/TRAUMA/ECMO/BURN/PACU/.

Speaking of shock and awe...wow!

NNOC: "Houston, we have lift off. Patients are our special interest!"

Congratulations, CyFair Tenet Nurses.

Welcome sisters and brothers. From the Golden Gate Bridge to Bar Harbor Maine, you rock my world! When you took the historical first step and voted to affiliate with NNOC Texas -- National Nurses Organizing Committee/California Nurses Association, you affirmed our collective commitment to advocacy in the interests of our patients and our profession.:up:

http://www.calnurses.org/media-center/press-releases/2008/march/first-unionized-hospital-in-texas-cypress-fairbanks-hospital-houston-rns-vote-to-join-nation-s-largest-rn-organization.html

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele, Hem/Onc, BMT.

Congratulations! I met and marched with many of you last March and stood beside you on the steps of the statehouse in Austin as you presented your ratio bill. I am proud of all of the work you are doing in Texas and now you have made history! Hopefully, your spirit will spread all across the US!

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One thing I think we can say for sure, is that our union meetings are going to become even more fun with the Texas nurses there.

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