10-Hospital RN Delegation to CEO Pat Fry will deliver nurse pledges to strike if patient care issues not resolved

A delegation of registered nurses representing 10 Northern California Sutter Health hospitals who are currently in bargaining will present to Sutter CEO Pat Fry cards signed by a vast majority of the 4,200 RNs, pledging to strike if key issues of patient care and healthcare coverage are not resolved soon. RN delegations have delivered copies of the cards to the CEOs of their individual hospitals over the last two weeks.

This latest action is an attempt by the CNA Sutter nurses to demonstrate their unity and support for their bargaining team’s patient care proposals and that reductions in healthcare and retirement are unacceptable.

“I have dedicated my life to this community hospital,” said Linda Carter, an intensive care unit RN at St. Luke’s Hospital in San Francisco for 37 years who will be a part of Tuesday’s delegation. “The nurses feel that Sutter is not taking us seriously and we have to stand up for what is right for our patients and for our profession. This is a demonstration of our unity and our support for our bargaining teams.”

Delegation to Sutter CEO Pat Fry

Date: Tuesday, September, 25, 2007
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Place: Sutter Health Corporate
2200 River Plaza Drive, Sacramento, 95833

The RNs at all 10 hospitals voted earlier this month to authorize a strike if an agreement with the hospital chain is not reached. There has been no progress in bargaining over the core issues of the contract, which include important patient safety concerns, adequate RN staffing, and protection for nurse healthcare coverage.

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