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California Health, Housing & Public Services Labor & Workers

Huge Walkout by 4,000 Sutter RNs - A Dramatic Stand for Improved Patient Care

by via CalNurses

Sat, Mar 22, 2008 11:12AM

10-Day Strike Underway Across Bay Area

Friday, March 21, 2008 : Some 4,000 registered nurses began a 10-day walkout Friday at 10 Bay Area hospitals operated by the Sutter Health chain in a dramatic protest over patient care conditions. More than 95 percent of the RNs struck the hospitals. Guaranteeing safe RN staffing at all times – especially ensuring that Sutter RNs are able to take rest breaks and meals -- is one of several key patient safety issues that is at the center of the dispute.

The RNs are also pressing for lift teams to prevent patient falls and accidents and injuries, and assurances that RNs are not improperly assigned to hospital areas where they do not have clinical competency. Additionally, the RNs oppose efforts by Sutter to close hospitals, reduce healthcare benefits for many of the RNs, and they want to enhance retirement security for the RNs.

At a number of the hospitals, Sutter has responded with tactics of harassment and intimidation, said the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, which represents the RNs.

At Mills-Peninsula Health Services, with hospitals in Burlingame and San Mateo, hospital officials threatened to cut off healthcare coverage for nurses who participate in the walkout. (letter available upon request)

CNA/NNOC said today that it intends to file federal labor charges against the hospital for unilateral changes in the nurses' health benefits, and unlawful discrimination against RNs for federally protected union activity.

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For more information: http://www.calnurses.org/media-center/pres...

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Comments (Hide Comments)

§Unity is strengh.

by tubs

Sun, Mar 23, 2008 12:09AM

Solidarity protects medicare, and medicare protects the living world. It is really good news to hear the workers stand up for improved living and working conditions and direct the economics that way. A lesson for the politicians who pay more to destroy the plants, animals and peoples in useless pollution destroying wars for nothing good but a greater sickness. Viva socialist liberation. End pollution wars, not endless wars for more pollution. Life to the living.

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