Rep. Loretta Sanchez Urges UNAC/UHCP Garden Grove Registered Nurses Association to Stand Strong in Negotiations
August 26, 2010
This morning, U.S. Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) personally delivered a message to the Garden Grove Nurses Association as they begin contract negotiations: “We are with you.”
Rep. Sanchez spoke to officers in the nurses association as they head into potentially difficult negotiations with Prime Healthcare next week. The Garden Grove Nurses Association (GGNA) is an affiliate of United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP), who will lead the GGNA team in negotiations. Barbara Blake, RN, UNAC/UHCP State Secretary, told attendees at a morning unity breakfast, “We are going to need your help. We anticipate concessionary bargaining in this negotiation. We are asking you, the community, to stand with us to achieve a contract that continues to provide a high quality work environment for the nurses who are providing high quality care to patients in Garden Grove. We’ll be there for you when you need it. We hope we can count on you now.”
Betty Pugh, RN, a liaison for the Garden Grove Nurses Association, commented on the negotiations by simply saying, “We have a big job in front of us.”
Rep. Sanchez, who represents portions of Garden Grove, explained that Garden Grove Hospital’s transformation from a non-profit institution to a for-profit entity has put pressure on other hospitals in the area. She identified the hospital as “an important part of this community,” and noted the Garden Grove nurses are facing more pressure than ever to work hard and care for more patients. Rep. Sanchez concluded her remarks by thanking the nurses and reminding them, “we are going to stand behind you.”
United Nurses Commend Assembly Speaker Perez on Nurse Education Bill
New Pilot Program Will Increase California’s Health Care Workforce Capacity
August 25, 2010
San Dimas, CA – Barbara Blake, RN, State Secretary for the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) commended California Assembly Speaker John A Pérez (D-Los Angeles) on the successful passage of AB 2385 in the State Senate and Assembly, titled “Pilot Program for Innovative Nursing and Allied Health Care Profession Education at the California Community Colleges.” If the bill is signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger, it will increase the capacity of California’s community colleges to provide accessible courses for students training to be nurses and health professionals.
“We are pleased that AB 2385 has moved successfully through the legislative process,” commented Blake. “UNAC/UHCP was proud to collaborate with the Speaker’s office in the development of this bill and we believe it will remove barriers that students have encountered in trying to get into nursing or allied health education programs. We urge Governor Schwarzenegger to sign this bill into law."
AB 2385 would facilitate the education of community college nursing and allied health students. The bill would establish a pilot program at up to five campuses throughout the state that would allow students to take weekend, evening, or summer courses while completing a nursing or health professional program.
“The need for a qualified health care workforce, particularly when you consider the ongoing nursing shortage, is undeniable,” stated Blake. “We believe AB 2385 is a great starting point to increase the capacity of community colleges to properly and more quickly prepare additional students who wish to enter the health care field.”
# # #
The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals is the largest nurses union in Southern California and represents registered nurses and other health care professionals. UNAC/UHCP, as the association is known, is affiliated with the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. For more information on UNAC/UHCP, visit www.unac-ca.org.
Convention 2010 -
Amendments, Nominations and Resolutions
Convention is approaching and so is the deadline to submit Constitutional amendments. The date all amendments are due is August 8 (not Aug. 12, as reported in the Voice). The explanation on how amendments may be submitted was provided in the July/August 2010 issue of the Voice.
We now have Convention committee chairs from the host affiliate, St. Francis Registered Nurses Association. The chairs are as follows:
Amendments Committee Chair: Sandi Marques, RN
Resolutions Committee Chair: Lois Jones, RN
Nominations Committee Chair: Mary Ferrell, RN
Amendments should be sent to the State Secretary, Barbara Blake, RN (Barbara@unac-ca.org ), who will submit all amendments to the Amendments Committee Chair.
Also, nominations for the Board of Directors (four seats) and the State Officers (President and State Secretary) may be submitted now and through the closing of nominations at the Convention on November 8. Article VI, Section 606 of the UNAC/UHCP Constitution, details the eligibility requirements for members wishing to run for a State Association office. Nominations should be sent to the State Secretary, Barbara Blake, RN (Barbara@unac-ca.org ), who will submit all nominations to the Nominations Committee Chair. A brief bio is suggested.
Article X, Sections 1014 and 1015 of the Constitution, defines the process to submit affiliate resolutions. Affiliate resolutions may be submitted up to ten days prior to the start of convention. Affiliate resolutions should be sent to the State Secretary, Barbara Blake, RN (Barbara@unac-ca.org ), who will submit all resolutions to the Resolutions Committee Chair.
See you at Convention!
Submitting Amendments, Nominations and Resolutions
Amendment Submission
Article XIV
Section 1401
Proposed Amendments to the UNAC/UHCP Constitution may be submitted to the State Convention by request of the Executive Council, the Board of Directors, Resolutions Committee, or an Affiliate. All Amendments introduced by an Affiliate shall bear the signatures of at least two (2) elected officers of the Affiliate certifying that the Amendment was approved for submission to the Convention by the policy making body or membership of the Affiliate.
Section 1402
Proposed Amendments to the UNAC/UHCP Constitution may be submitted to the State Convention by a signed petition of twenty-five percent (25%) of the members of any Affiliate in good standing.
Section 1403
If a proposed Amendment is to be submitted to the State Convention, it must reach the office of the State Secretary at least ninety (90) days prior to the convening of the Convention and must be sent by the State Secretary to the Affiliates at least sixty (60) days before the Convention.
Nominations Submission
Article VI
Section 606
No member shall be eligible for nomination or election to a State Association office unless the person:
- Shall be a member in good standing for a period of two (2) years immediately preceding the election;
- Has practiced the profession of nursing for at least three (3) years, or is a professional employee as definite in Article III, Section 301, and has previously been admitted to membership by action of the Executive Council, provided that such person has practiced as a professional employee for at least three (3) years;
- Has been a member of an Affiliate for at least two (2) years.
Article III
Section 301
Qualifications for Membership:
- A Registered Nurse properly licensed in accordance with appropriate state laws.
- A professional employee, other than a Registered Nurse, within the meaning of Section 2 (12) of the National Labor Relations Act, engaged in health care delivery.
- The payment of dues by the last day of each month.
Resolution Submission
Article X
Section 1014
All Affiliate resolutions other than Constitutional Amendments to be considered by the Convention must be adopted by the Affiliate and sent to the State Secretary. They must be in the State Secretary’s hand no later than ten (10) days prior to the convening of the Convention. The State Secretary shall submit all Affiliate resolutions and any recommendations of the Board of Directors to the Chairperson of the appropriate committee.
Section 1015
Resolutions bearing on differing subjects must be typewritten on separate papers and only on one side of the paper. Resolutions must be properly signed by the President/Co-Chairs and Secretary of the Affiliate submitting such resolution.
United Nurses Cleared of Election Misconduct Allegations
July 13, 2010
The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) was cleared of any misconduct during an organizing campaign preceding the Registered Nurses vote to unionize and affiliate with UNAC/UHCP in April 2010. Chino Valley Medical Center filed twenty-nine objections with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging Union election misconduct. Last week an Administrative Law Judge overruled all of the Hospital’s objections, clearing the way for the Union to be certified as the nurses’ representative.
“We are gratified that the judge examined all the evidence and found in our favor,” said Kathy Sackman, RN, President, UNAC/UHCP. “These objections were frivolous and designed to smear UNAC/UHCP’s name, while infringing on the nurses’ right to be represented by a union.”
“Chino Valley nurses strive to provide their patients the best care possible, and their vote demonstrates that the Union will help them accomplish that,” continued Sackman. ”Nurses are on the frontline of patient care, and need to be empowered to speak up for themselves and for their patients.”
Among the more egregious allegations, the Hospital claimed the Union had threatened acts of violence and vandalized property. These objections were withdrawn by the Hospital, after it presented no evidence at the Objections Hearing that these events occurred.
Chino Valley Medical Center is owned and operated by Prime Healthcare Services.
United Nurses Provide Medical Services for Local HIV/AIDS Children’s Camp Program
July 8, 2010
Registered Nurses from UNAC/UHCP are among those currently providing medical care at Camp Laurel, a summer program for children living with or affected by HIV/AIDS offered twice yearly in Bear Valley. The RNs are providing medical services during the rest of the weeklong camp to all of the children and adults supporting the program.
“As an RN, I am committed to ensuring that all people who need health care have access to it,” stated Lorraine Costello, RN and a UNAC/UHCP member. “I think it is very important to give back to the community by volunteering. I enjoy having the opportunity to contribute to the camping experience of these children in such a constructive way.”
Each year the Camp Laurel Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization, provides a summer and winter camp in Bear Valley to children living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Based in Pasadena, the organization is always looking for medical volunteers to meet the medical care needs of the campers. This year, UNAC/UHCP reached out to its members in order to find some much needed volunteers for this year’s summer camp program.
“While we provide educational and support programs to the children, youth and families we work with on a year round basis, our camps are designed to provide campers with a meaningful learning experience filled with friendship and fun in a safe environment,” stated Margot Anderson, President and Founder of Camp Laurel. “We are grateful for all of our volunteers and are always looking for more each camp session.”
During the camp program, children are encouraged to learn wilderness skills, play sports and develop many other human relations and life skills. The program provides an opportunity for campers to forget about their illness and just be children. By creating a medically and physically safe and structured environment where the campers can test their perceived limitations, Camp Laurel counselors are able to focus on developing the campers’ self-esteem, self-confidence and independence. UNAC/UHCP volunteers like Autumn Auston Kelly, RN (Kaiser San Diego), Lorraine Costello, RN (Kaiser Downey) and Angela Granados, RN (Kaiser Irvine), provide their health care expertise to support the camp’s ongoing efforts to bring joy to the lives of these children. Volunteer applications for counselors and medical staff for the winter camp are due January 14, 2011. For more information, visit www.CampLaurel.org.
Kaiser National Agreement Overwhelmingly Ratified
July 7, 2010
The votes are in and the results are clear: the Kaiser National Agreement was overwhelmingly ratified by UNAC members. Ballots were mailed the week of June 28, and voting was complete the week of July 6.
The Voice - July/August Edition
July 2, 2010
Click here to view the July/August edition.
Lakewood Nurses Ratify New Agreement
June 17, 2010
Lakewood Registered Nurses Association (LRNA) members overwhelmingly approved a new three-year collective bargaining agreement on Thursday, June 10. The new contract, retroactive to May 6, provides for annual wage increases, an increase in night shift differential, an additional holiday, restoration of hospital's extended sick leave program, and other improvements. Although negotiations extended beyond the existing contract’s expiration date, both the LRNA negotiating team and management worked hard to bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion, and avoid having to conduct a Board of Inquiry. Many thanks to the LRNA negotiating team for their hard work: Joy Harvey, RN and Lead Negotiator; Joel Emerson, RN; Veronica Mendoza-Balbin, RN; Nelly Lacaba, RN; Lorraine Bellinis, RN; Aleyamma Mathew, RN; Krishna Yu, RN; Minerva Aller de la Fuente, RN; Armin Reyes, and Vanessa Caballero.
New KP National Agreement Reached
June 1, 2010
Los Angeles, May 28 – Early Friday morning, after a three-and-a-half day marathon bargaining session, the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions reached a tentative agreement with Kaiser Permanente on a new, two-year National Agreement. The tentative agreement provides for annual 3.5% across-the-board wage increases for Southern California RNs, 3% across-the-board wage increases for all other employees, maintenance of current benefits, an enhanced sick leave cash-out option, and stable funding for workforce development trust funds.
The tentative agreement will go to the Union Delegates Conference on June 12 for endorsement. It will also be reviewed by the Kaiser Permanente Partnership Group and the Kaiser Foundation Board of Directors. The agreement will then be submitted to UNAC/UHCP members for ratification later this summer. Details of our ratification process are still being worked out. If ratified, the contract and the
first annual wage increase will be effective October 1,
2010.
This tentative agreement is the result of many hours
of meetings, brainstorming, and caucusing -
conducted by an 111 member negotiating committee - affirming the strength of the National Agreement, and requiring only a few language changes.
To continue reading, click here to view the latest bargaining update.
Kaiser Awards LAMC Nurse of the Year
May 11, 2010
On May 7th, Anna Marie McCloud, RN, was chosen as the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center’s (LAMC) 2009 UNAC/UHCP Nurse of the Year.
For this year’s theme, “Nurses: Caring Today for a Healthier Tomorrow,” 83 nurses were nominated by their colleagues based on their willingness to work as a team, promotion of Labor Management Partnership principles, and contributions to high quality patient care. The committee responsible for selecting the UNAC/UHCP Nurse of the Year bases its decision on the submitted nomination statements.
UNAC/UHCP Staff Representative Moises Alarcon, RN, and Kaiser LAMC Medical Group Administrator, Judy North, presented the award to McCloud, who provides patient care at the Kaiser Pasadena Medical Office Building. As part of the presentation, Alarcon and North read some of the statements McCloud’s colleagues made on her behalf. Some of the statements included: Anna Marie is always willing to go the extra mile for the patient and the family; Anna Marie always puts patients and their families first; and Anna Marie embodies a nurse with the highest ethics, empathy and skills.
Sharp Nurses Agree to 15 Month Contract
May 1, 2010
Sharp Professional Nurses Network (SPNN) members overwhelmingly voted to accept a new 15-month agreement on April 30, moving away from their mid-summer expiration date. The new agreement runs from July 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011.
The new agreement only modifies a few contractual terms. “With the economy still climbing out of recession, we believed limiting our scope of bargaining to a few topics, like fair wage increases and a relatively short agreement duration, was the right thing to do,” says SPNN President Chris McGovern, RN. “Our plan is to readdress the full collective bargaining agreement late next year when we anticipate the economy will be doing better.”
Under the new agreement all Full-time/Part-time (FT/PT) nurses whose anniversary
date falls between July 1, 2010 and September 30, 2010 will receive a 2% wage increase on their anniversary date. Effective at the beginning of the first full pay period of Sharp fiscal year 2011, all FT/PT bargaining unit nurses will receive a 2% across-the-board wage increase. In addition, each FT/PT nurse will receive a 2% wage increase on their anniversary date falling between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011. Per Diem and Weekend clinical nurse wage rates will increase 3.2% effective at the beginning of the first full pay period of Sharp fiscal year 2011.
The 2010-2011 agreement also provides for a common review date within thirty days of December 15, rather than individual nurse anniversary dates. This provision does not affect the anniversary date wage increases. And lastly, the agreement contains new language requiring Sharp to provide 30-day advance notice of a unit/department/facility/service line closure and a list of all affected bargaining unit nurses.
A pre-negotiation meeting was held on March 16 where SPNN members let UNAC/UHCP and SPNN leadership know what was important to them in a new agreement. “The input we received from many members was to secure a fair wage increase, protect our existing benefits and working conditions, and hope that the San Diego area economy gets better over the next year or so. We think this new agreement accomplishes that,” stated Larry Winkler, RN, SPNN Treasurer and a member of the negotiating team.
Marching For California's Future
Stephen Soto de Mayor, PA, Kaiser Riverside, rallies in front of the State Capitol during the Marching For California’s Future rally on April 21. Mayor and other UNAC/UHCP activists attended the Sacramento event that brought attention to the over $20 billion that has been slashed from the State budget over the past two years, including cuts in public education, health services, safety programs, and infrastructure.
