Press Release: Beverly Hospital Nurses Ratify Contract With Patient Protections

May 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2012
Contact: Jeff Rogers
UNAC/UHCP Public Affairs Specialist
Cell: 909-263-7230 • Office: 909-451-0663

Beverly Hospital Nurses Ratify Contract With Patient Protections

Montebello, CA – Registered Nurses at Beverly Hospital ratified their first contract yesterday, winning protections for patient safety after a year of difficult bargaining that included a federal government decision to prosecute the employer for unlawful negotiation tactics.

“We worked long and hard to see this day,” said Susan Justin, RN. “We never gave up on protecting our patients and community. Now we have a contract that guarantees Beverly nurses a strong voice in patient care and improving our hospital.”

Beverly nurses voted in February, 2011 to join United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP). Negotiations with Beverly Hospital management for a first contract began almost a year ago, on May 5, 2011. Nurses were supported by local community and elected leaders, including U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu.

In March 2012, the National Labor Relations Board’s local regional office determined after a thorough investigation that it would prosecute Beverly Hospital for engaging in bad faith bargaining, including unlawful refusals to provide information needed for bargaining and other delaying tactics.

During negotiations the hospital also came under investigation by Cal-OSHA, following reports of a malfunctioning Code Blue system in Intensive Care, malfunctioning electrical outlets, mold and water damage in ICU, Telemetry and Maternal/Child units, and flooding.

Beverly nurses persisted in fighting for a contract that would improve their hospital. They held a rally, a candlelight vigil, and a community and online petition drive to win support. Coalitions of community, elected and labor leaders made frequent visits to the hospital to call for management to negotiate fairly with nurses for the good of the community.

“We’re pleased that our hard work has paid off in a contract that will protect Beverly Nurses in their role as patient advocates,” said Ken Deitz, UNAC/UHCP President.

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Beverly RNs are members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, the largest nurses union in Southern California representing over 20,000 Registered Nurses and other health care professionals. UNAC/UHCP is affiliated with the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. For more information on UNAC/UHCP, visit www.unachuchp.org.