Nurses Announcements Archive
Published May 30, 2001
-jt
2,709 Posts
5/24/01
UAN Stands with Twin Cities Nurses:
MNA's Courageous RNs Are Leading the Charge for Safe Staffing, Better Care, Says UAN Chair........
Washington, DC -- As some 7,700 Minnesota Nurses Association RNs in 12 hospitals across Minneapolis-St. Paul prepare for what would be the largest RN strike in history, United American Nurses (UAN) Chair Cheryl Johnson, RN issued the following statement:
"Each and every of the 100,000-plus RNs from the 26 nurses associations of the United American Nurses stands with our sister and brother nurses in the Twin Cities in their fight for better and safer patient care. Their courage in fighting for the future of the nursing profession is both inspirational and a call to action for all of us. We are with them in the hospital emergency rooms and ICUs, and we will be with them on the picket lines. Their fight
is our fight.
"Registered nurses across the country are committed to making our hospitals better places for patients and nurses alike. Nurses in Minnesota are using the powerful voice of their union to make sure that the citizens in the Twin Cities are guaranteed the best patient care possible the next time they have to check into a hospital.
"As nurses, we see the great risk both nurses and patients run every day due to unsafe and inadequate staffing and dangerous working conditions. If we are to solve the nurse staffing crisis and keep qualified, experienced staff nurses in hospitals caring for the patients who desperately need them, then we must fight to make hospitals better – and safer – places to work. Through solidarity, we can and we will improve patient care conditions and
our health care system."
The United American Nurses, the labor arm of the American Nurses Association, counts as members the Minnesota Nurses Association, plus nurses state associations from 23 other states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and is made up of more than 100,000 RNs nationwide.
# # # http://www.UANnurse.org
5/25/01
Four weeks and counting: Youngstown nurses stand strong -
Nurses at Youngstown, Ohio's Western Reserve Care Center/Forum Health are sticking together and standing strong as their strike, which began on May 1, approaches the four-week mark. More than 770 members of the Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association, an affiliate of the Ohio Nurses Association and part of the
United American Nurses, are speaking out for safer staffing and saying no to mandatory overtime. Please help show our UAN solidarity with our nurses, who are fighting for everyone on the front lines of patient care by offering financial assistance or sending a letter of support. For more information on how you can stand with the Youngstown nurses, contact Youngstown strike headquarters - visit the ONA website at www.ohnurses.org
Minnesota Strike Update: 3:00 5/30/01 http://www.MNnurses.org
Talks End. Stage Set for Nation's Largest Nursing Strike.
Negotiations between nurses and hospitals concluded Friday evening when Federal Mediators advised both negotiating teams that a settlement was unlikely to be achieved. The two sides are still far apart on issues of staffing, scheduling and economics.
Hospitals presented an offer that upped the wage proposal a meager 1.1% for a few nurses and 0% for a bulk of the nurses. The proposal also inadequately addressed insurance caps and continued to ignore longevity bonuses that would reward loyal, long-term employees.
In addition, they proposed the introduction of a "blue ribbon panel" to study the nursing shortage. It is difficult enough to understand why a concept of this nature was brought to negotiations regarding workplace issues, but it is even more perplexing in light of the abundance of existing research already available about the issue.
The finest minds in the country have published extensive research findings and recommendations, including The Institute of Medicine, The Joint Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations, the American Hospital Association's own sub-group, the American Organization of Nursing Executives, and the American Nurses Association. MNA itself has helped Senators Wellstone and Dayton conduct hearings across the state on the nursing crisis.
Nurses are demanding action, not more research. And viable actions are already at hand, with successful examples of the American Nurses Association Magnet Hospital program that directly correlates nurse-sensitive indicators, such as staffing levels and input into workload, with positive patient outcomes.
The result is, as of June 1, 7,800 nurses will withold their services in a work stoppage starting at 5:30am.
Nurses are emphatically unified in their determination to stand up and speak out for safe patient care. Nurses have demanded bold changes in their contracts, and proposals advanced by the hospitals remain far from adequate.
Meanwhile, community support continues to pour in to the MNA offices from individuals and organizations in the form of memos, voices mails and pledges of donations.
If you would like to contribute to a strike fund to help nurses who may be walking the picket lines, please plan to do so after the May 31st deadline. Make your check payable to MNA Strike Fund and send Attn: John Lose, 1625 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul, MN 55108.
If you want to email words of support to us, send to: [email protected]
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Ohio Strike News
Residential Picketing - Gather at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30 at Strike Headquarters. We will caravan to the chosen residence.
Action Committee meetings - every Thursday, 4 p.m., strike headquarters. All are invited.
PRESS RELEASE - Thursday, May 24, 2001
After 8 hours of negotiations today with Forum Health and the Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association (YGDNA), talks broke off. YGDNA offered new solutions and major concessions to address the mandatory overtime issues, all of which were rejected by the hospital. We are extremely disappointed that an agreement could not be reached. No new meetings have been scheduled at this time. YGDNA remains committed to resolving this strike on behalf of the citizens of the Mahoning Valley and the 766 Registered Nurses on strike.
********
Special thank you for the support from ONA members at the Cincinnati RN Association and Lima Memorial Hospital.
Picketing Schedule
The picket line is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- 2 hours shifts.
- Each shift begins on the even hour.
Job opportunities are posted at the Strike Headquarters.
Strike Headquarters
Medical Care Employee Federal Credit Union
630 Gypsy Lane, Suite 1
Youngstown, Ohio 44505
Next door to Northside Hospital
Phone: 330-746-6344 or 330-716-2196
Fax: 330-746-6351
E-mail: [email protected]
Office open 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., 7 days a week
***********
Dear YGDNA Nurses:
I wanted to e-mail your courageous nurses in Youngstown to thank them wholeheartedly for their letters of support as we also embark on our strike against Brockton Hospital in Brockton, MA. Seeing our concerns echoed throughout this great land has strengthened us beyond our wildest dreams, we thank you all and will forever fight for our patients rights to safe and quality health care ... we are with you in spirit ... God bless and keep you on the path to victory.
Julie Connors, RN, ER
Brockton Hospital
Brockton, MA
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Letter to the administration:
Mr. Jon Steen
Forum Healthcare
500 Gypsy Lane
Dear Mr. Steen:
On behalf of the greater Youngstown labor community, I would like to encourage you to redouble your efforts to settle the Nurses Association contract at Northside Medical Center. It is in the best interests of your patients, the medical center, the community and all nursing professionals involved in this dispute to come to terms agreeable to both parties. This can only be done at the bargaining table, and we urge you to keep working for a solution.
We would also like to mention that bringing in replacement workers does not lead to a harmonious bargaining atmosphere. Although patient care is of paramount importance, there also ought to be a way to reach resolution without endangering the good will and welfare of the loyal employees.
If Greater Youngstown AFL-CIO Council can be of any assistance at all, please contact me. We are very interested in how these negotiations proceed and in their outcome.
Sincerely,
Larry Fauver, President
Greater Youngstown AFL-CIO Council
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Letters to the nurses association:
Ms. Bonnie Lambert
District Three President
Ohio Nurses Association
Williamsburg West
5669 Mahining Ave.
Youngstown, Ohio 44515
Dear Ms. Lambert:
I was sorry to hear that the Western Reserve Care System/Forum Health administration failed to negotiate a fair contract with the nurses in that facility. I am proud to hear that the nurses are standing up for such a vitally important issues as health and safety, mandatory (forced) overtime, and patient care, as well as issues such as wages and pensions that ensure high quality professionals continue to be attracted to nursing.
The leadership that these committed ONA nurses are providing is inspirational in our nationwide effort to create comprehensive contracts that provide quality workplace for our nurses as well as a safe and strong helathcare facility for our patients.
Keep up the incredible work, and best wishes on a successful resolution to the contract.
Camille Soleil, JD
Director of Labor Relations
Kentucky Nurses Association
Dear Bonnie:
On behalf of the Illinois Nurses Association, I want to extend our support of YGDNA in your efforts to assure safe staffing for the citizens of Youngstown and Mahoning County.
Many of our members know the sacrifice that your members are making. We wish you a speedy and successful resolution.
Carol A. Jenkins, MS, RN, CAE
Interim Executive Director
Illinois Nurses Association
I found your site by emailing the AFL-CIO. My wife works at a hospital where a lot of travelers were working. As of Sunday, April 29, 2001, many of them were flown out to Ohio for a strike. They have a 16 day contract with the temp agency that employs them. I guess the hospital figures that you ladies can't last longer than 16 days, or they hope to settle within that time frame. It's truly a shame that these nurses enjoy making money off the plight of fellow nurses. Whatever happened to caring for individuals? I hope this information helps with your fight for a fair contract. I'm a steward at Verizon, and we sustained an 18 day strike in 2000. I hope yours is as successful as our was.
Chuck Dobry
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Press Release announcing strike.
May 1, 2001 - Registered Nurses members of the Ohio Nurses Association, and its affiliate, the Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association (YGDNA) will go on strike at Western Reserve Care System/Forum Health located in Youngstown OH. The strike is scheduled to take place on May 1, 2001 at 3:30 p.m.
There are 771 Registered Nurses members in the bargaining unit. Bonnie Lambert, President of the YGDNA said, "Youngstown Nurses would rather fight than quit. We are fighting for our patients, our families, our lives and our profession.
We have tried to negotiate an agreement that will attract and retain registered nurses; however, many issues remain unresolved." Two of the most important practice issues involve safe staffing and the elimination of mandatory overtime. The Ohio Nurses Association and the Medical Center are also far apart on wages and benefits. A mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service has been involved in the negotiations for several weeks.
The Youngstown General Duty Nurses on strike would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for their generous support:
Pizza Joes
Pizza Joes - Boardman
Joe's Restaurant
Ron Verb
Beverage House
Pizza Outlet
Mary Jo Onder
Jennifer Branlett
Massage Therapy Center
Dr. Purary
Jody Vasey
Dr. Anonymous
Brenda Newlin Globeck
Ralph Globeck
Cafaro Company
Mocha House
Inner Circle
Sherry Cox
Bev - 2 West
Ohio Nurses Association (ONA)
Ohio Nurses Employee Association (ONEA)
United American Nurses (UAN) (The Union Arm of ANA)
Neighbor from hospital
Dr. Jamison
Teacher's Union
Teamster's Local 377
Lab
Sparkle Market -Union Square
Ron Bann
AFSCME 3577
Security
Rose Pasture, RN
Papa Johns Pizza
Dr. Thomas
Mother/Baby Unit
Merck
Nurses from St. E's
Local PEP #4
Local 64
Diane Wells - Sheetz (Girard)
Martha Eicher - CRNA
Dallas Hartman PC
Warren
Alex & Pat DiGiacomo
Cora Barthy & Willo Ferro
Alltel Boardman Office
John Lammerding
Magic Mocha Machine
Virginia O'Hare
Dr. Fred Kurz
Ponderosa
Betsy Waid
Car Team Boardman Firefighters
Struthers High School
Gary Reel
Phyllis Simon
Pediatric Oncology - Holly
Gail Halstead
John Gordon & UAW
Judy Stanfer
Dr. Soltis
Leonard Lucas, Melodies & Memories
Gabe Kramer & Staff SEIU 1199
Bill Detchon
Ray & Rose Ferrando
Tim & Judy McPhillips
YSU - APAS
Greg Johnson - Song & Music
Sherwin Williams - Austintown
Poland Giant Eagle
Elmtree Catering
Tastee Bakery
Natasha Wright
Dorris D'Errico
Gobel's Autobody & Towing
Pepsi Co. - Rodger King
Susan Savustuk
Dr. Meyers
Army Recruiters - Eric & Jay
Dr. Marina
Shirley Ann & Gerald Schultz
Darlene Tofil
Joan Leslie
Pasquales Pizza
Joann Ford
Kinko's - Nar
Staples - Ben & Paul
AFSCME - Retirees sub chapter
Leonard Stanfer
Randy @ Parkview Counseling
U.S. Air Force
Jan Foley & Family
Mrs. Julius - YSU Faculty
Mary Ann Lloyd
Debbie Shane
Faith Mrofchak
Vera West
Anne Traveline
Westside Bakery
Frattarolli Sparkle
Ron Evans
Jeanne Barker
Lois Gessner
Marijon
Becky Hook
Eric Jacobs
Paula
Teachers of Cardinal Mooney High School
Dr. Banks
Northside Security
Great Harvest Bread Co.
Asst. Mgr. Dave @ Sprarkle
Dr. Escobar
Donna Crchedi
Bill Fisher
Gloria Longue
ATC Healthcare
Candy Fatimus
Hillside Rehab Nurses
CWA 4300
Prof. Practice Unit St. Vincent's
Medical Resident
Union 1372
Teamsters
Gene Root
Sarah Root
1199 Parkview Counciling
St. E's Pacu & OR
Mike Basista
Big Daddy Revue
May Varley
Hogbet's
Jeff Jarrett (Johnson & Johnson)
John Centofanti (Ross Labs)
Franchescisos Restaurant
Robin Marr
Acme Steak (Tony Tringhese)
Annonymous - Candy Bars
Dr. Yoon
Linda Glob
Linda Glock
Jack E. Fateley Jr.
Nancy Dieger
Amy Welmeyer
Donna Glydura
Dr. Cohen
John Lammerding - Archway
Med.. Employees Credit Union
Inner Circle Pizza
Papa John's Pizza
Dr. Terri Rich
Bev Bretscheider in memory of her son Ryan
SEIU 1199
Beth & Keith Showman
Bridget @ Spinners Sub Shop
Irish Bob's Pub
Donna Kennedy (UAN)
Bell Detchon
Pizz Outlet
Nurses From Gary Indiana
Mary Ellen Patton
Leila & Ray Leclerc
Taste-n-Tell Bakery
Companies refusing to cross picket line:
Schwebel's
BFI
Pepsi
Coke
Nickel's Bakery
Wonder Bread
Canteen
AVI
Stericycle
Dairyman
Area Florists
Papa John's
Directions to Northside Hospital can be found at the website http://www.OHnurses.org
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Minnesota Update -
Three hospitals settle with nurses
Three east metro hospitals operated by HealthEast Wednesday came to tentative contract agreements covering over 1,000 nurses, according to a officials from the hospitals and union.
The hospitals are St. John’s in Maplewood and St. Joseph’s and Bethesda Rehabilitation in St. Paul. Shireen Ghandi-Kozel, a spokeswoman for the Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership.
The three-year agreements, which will be presented to workers for ratification Thursday, call for raises totaling 20.8 percent and changes in "practice rules," said Jan Rabbers, the spokeswoman for the Minnesota Nurses Association.
With a massive nursing strike imminent, at least one other Twin Cities hospital went back to the bargaining table Wednesday.
Brock Nelson, chief executive officer of Children’s Hospitals and Clinics, said talks with the nurses union resumed this morning at about 9:30 a.m. If they reach a tentative agreement, it would mark the second departure from pattern contract bargaining that has so far led to a bitter stalemate.
Nurses at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale narrowly approved a contract two weeks ago. But master contract talks between the other hospitals and the Minnesota Nurses Association broke off Friday. Nurses say they will walk off the job at 5:30 a.m. Friday, launching one of the largest strikes in Minnesota in recent memory and one of the biggest nursing walkouts nationally in recent history.
It’s not clear whether other hospitals have also gone back to negotiations individually with the union, which had been the practice until earlier this month.
A “handful” of the 12 hospitals facing a strike by over 7,800 nurses were talking again Wednesday, said Shireen Ghandi-Kozel, a spokeswoman for the Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership, a management group. She declined to say exactly how many hospitals or which institutions had resumed bargaining. Children’s two hospitals, one in Minneapolis, one in St. Paul.
Jan Rabbers, a spokeswoman for the Minnesota Nurses Association, said she didn’t know of any bargaining Wednesday beyond Children’s.
On Tuesday, Children’s and union officials agreed to resume talks this morning, Nelson said. He declined to comment on whether Children’s was putting forth a new contract proposal.
“”We are in discussions right now and we would like to get a settlement and I hope we will,’’ Nelson said.
Children’s Hospital, which has 1,200 nurses, specializes in pediatrics. Over half of its patients are critically ill children, Nelson said. Thus, the hospital has fewer elective procedures it can postpone in case of a strike. “”We have a special mission compared to other hospitals,’’ he said........
[email protected]
See?????? THATS how it is supposed to work. Forget about finding "replacements" & get back to the table & comromise with the nurses to AVOID the strike in the first place. These hospitals in Minnesota just may be finally seeing the light.