Congresswoman Judy Chu, Other Elected Leaders Speak Out Against Beverly Hospital’s Inaction
November 2011
Montebello, CA – Congresswoman Judy Chu and other elected officials spoke at a rally in front of Beverly Hospital today in support of Registered Nurses who have been negotiating with the hospital for months in their fight to guarantee safe, quality patient care.
“I urge Beverly Hospital to bargain in good faith, talk about the issues, and move forward,” Congresswoman Chu said. “Do right by these hardworking nurses.”
“I believe in the rightness of your cause,” said California Assemblymember Charles Calderon in a letter of support read to the crowd. “I am here today to tell you that you are stronger than dishonest negotiating tactics and that your cause is noble and superior to the gamesmanship of the hospital negotiators.”
“We appreciate the community’s support,” said Beverly Nurse Susan Justin, RN. “It empowers us for this struggle. As nurses our first priority is always patient care. But time and again we’re asked to float to units where we’re not properly trained, and we have frequent staffing shortages. That’s why we’re trying to win protections for patient care in our contract, but management is dragging their feet. If they put patient care first like the nurses we could sign a new contract tomorrow.”
Also attending the rally were dozens of community members with their families, as well as other elected and community leaders including Maria Elena Durazo, Secretary-Treasurer of the LA County Federation of Labor; Dr. Ed Hernandez, California State Senator; El Monte Mayor Andre Quintero; and Pico Rivera City Councilmember Gustavo Camacho.
The Beverly Registered Nurses voted to form a union in February, after numerous staffing issues that were brought to management and left unresolved. They’ve been in negotiations for a first contract for over six months. UNAC/UHCP has brought Unfair Labor Practice charges against the hospital to the attention of the National Labor Relations Board, including allegations of bad faith bargaining.