Fountain Valley Negotiations Set to Begin

October 2012

The Fountain Valley Professionals Association is gearing up to start bargaining in November for a new contract. They recently held their first General Membership Meeting of the contract campaign, and turnout was strong. Forty people signed up to join the Contract Action Team, and members came away understanding that they must build strength now to win at the table. They know that a strong member presence will be needed at negotiations.

The contract campaign comes in the shadow of recent layoffs resulting from the closure of the oncology unit. Through union negotiations with management, no one laid off from oncology will have to actually leave Fountain Valley. New spots are being found for everyone who wants one, though some positions will require updating skills.

The layoffs are unfortunate because one of the biggest issues in bargaining is expected to be workload. There’s too much work and too few staff members at Fountain Valley, where UNAC/UHCP represents not just RNs but Clinical Lab Scientists, Pharmacists, Social Workers, and Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists. There have also been layoffs of support staff, and safe staffing is a constant issue.

Next, FVPA will elect its Bargaining Team, and continue to build its CAT. November is just around the corner.