Nurse Fired for Standing Up for Patient Care Fights for Her Job Back

January 11, 2008

Frustrated by inconsistent policies, haphazard staffing levels and no real voice in improving patient care, Deirdre Kirkwood and her fellow nurses at Parkview Community Hospital in Riverside decided to come together and form a union. Deirdre--a highly competent and well respected NICU nurse--is a key workplace leader encouraging her co-workers to support the union campaign.

When hospital administrators saw employees coming together, they began to harass and intimidate the nurses. Their first act: firing Deirdre with no notice. Late on the afternoon of Friday, January 4, the head of human resources called Deirdre into a meeting, told her administration was “cleaning house,” and fired the seven-year nurse for “poor morale.” A security guard brought Deirdre her purse and she was told to leave and not come back.

“I am going to fight for my job back,” Deirdre says. She is encouraging her co-workers not to give up on a voice. “Please choose courage over fear,” she implores them. “The most important thing you can do now is learn more about what it means to form a union, sign a union card and vote ‘yes’ once the election occurs.”

 Because Deirdre has never received anything but stellar performance reviews, she can only conclude she was fired for being a union activist. As the nurse who organized holiday gift giving to her department’s managers, Deirdre can hardly be accused of “poor morale.”

The hospital has not let up on its effort to try to silence the nurses. On the evening of Monday, January 7, Deirdre and her family and friends went to Parkview to hand out fliers telling her story to fellow employees. Three police cars showed up to expel them from outside the hospital. When the nurses held a private organizing meeting at a church, three administrators showed up and tried to muscle their way in (they were eventually persuaded to leave).

Deirdre’s co-workers are rallying around her, signing a petition in her support and re-doubling their efforts to collect union cards. And all UNAC/UHCP members are emailing to show our support as well. “I love Parkview, and all we want to do is make it better,” says Deirdre.

Learn More, Take Action:

Read Hillary Clinton's letter supporting the Parkview nurses.

Download Deirdre’s story

Email your message of support to Deirdre

Deirdre’s not alone: thousands of working people get fired every year for being active in union organizing campaigns.

Take action to strengthen federal laws to protect working people organizing for a voice on the job.

Download Fast Facts about Nurses and Unions

Timeline of the Parkview Nurses Campaign

Health Care Reform Makes Huge Progress in California

December 19, 2007

UNAC/UHCP leaders and members are cheering our elected officials for taking a monumental step forward in reforming our broken health care system.

UNAC/UHCP State Secretary Barbara Blake, RN, joined Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez at a news conference to celebrate the passage of legislation that will extend health insurance to nearly four million Californians.

“This is the first step in a process toward really pursuing universal health care for all Californians,” Blake said at a news conference at the California Hospital and Medical Center in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday. At a San Diego news conference the following day, UNAC/UHCP members joined elected officials in celebrating at Kaiser San Diego.

Noting that AFSCME, our parent union, helped negotiate the breakthrough bill, Blake said, “We could not walk away from the table without coming to some resolution to make sure that we were able to expand coverage to those people who have no access to insurance.”

The bill will cover more than 75 percent of the uninsured, and provide more funding for hospitals and counties. It will also create a new public purchasing pool with millions expected to enroll and allow the state to establish public insurance options for individuals and employers as an alternative to profit-driven health plans. Finally, it will stop insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing health conditions.

The state Senate is expected to take up the bill in mid-January, and voters will have to approve a companion bill to finance this historic expansion in November.

“We will stay vigilant in this process to make sure all Californians maintain access to quality and affordable health care insurance,” Blake vowed.

Help for UNAC/UHCP Members Affected by the Fires

In the aftermath of the devastating fires throughout Southern California, union members are coming to each other's aid. If you need assistance, please take advantage of these resources.

1. AFSCME California Fire Hotline, 1-800-621-5016

The California locals and councils of AFSCME, working with our international union, are ready to help. Please call the hotline to inform us of your needs. Please also call if you have information about other AFSCME members who need help. The toll-free number is 1-800-621-5016.

2. Hotel Rooms in San Diego/Imperial Counties

The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council is providing hotel rooms for any union member in San Diego and Imperial counties displaced by the fires. For more information, contact the council's Office of Labor Participation at 3737 Camino Del Rio South, Room 106, San Diego, 92108, and 619-641-0074.

3. Face Masks

Face masks are being offered at the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council's Office of Labor Participation at 3737 Camino Del Rio South, Room 106, San Diego, 92108, and 619-641-0074. Please call first to check on availability.

4. Assistance for Orange County Union Members

Orange County union members affected by the fires, and those who wish to contribute to those in need, can contact the United Labor Agency in Orange County at 714-740-0928.

5. Pre-paid Visa Cards, Phone and Computer Access

The San Diego labor council is providing union members affected by the fires pre-paid Visa cards, as well as access to phones and computers. Call 619-641-0074 for more information.

We will provide you with more information about additional resources as it becomes available.

UNAC/UHCP Members Spread the Word about Freedom to Choose a Union

May 2, 2007