Union in Brief – June 2013

June 2013

Memphis —

Martin Luther King, Jr. helped organize AFSCME Local 1733 in Memphis, Tennessee, before he was assassinated. In April, UNAC/UHCP President Ken Deitz, RN, along with Volunteer Member Organizers Kita Stovall, RN, and Steve Rodriguez, RN, joined AFSCME members from all over the country to support 1733, facing privatization. “We have to get active,” said Kita, “because they are trying to break up unions. I’m not going to stand still, I’m stepping forward.”

Sacramento —

Bobbi Meyer, NP and Dennis Livingston, PA, lobbied in Sacramento recently for a package of bills introduced by State Senator Dr. Ed Hernandez to expand access to health care in California. “We believe this will greatly increase access to health care,” Meyer testified. Said Livingston, “We were there to educate legislators on how we could help meet the needs of patients in California.”

Fountain Valley —

The Bargaining Team and members at Fountain Valley have taken on a tough challenge in their negotiations this year: winning a wage grid for the first time ever at their hospital. Members have taken a strong interest, attending negotiations and strategizing with the team. Victory is in sight, with management accepting the concept of a wage grid, but details still need to be hammered out.

Chino —

UNAC/UHCP won a terrific NLRB-approved settlement against Chino Hospital after Chino unilaterally imposed a meal-break position without bargaining with UNAC/UHCP, refused to provide information and delayed in providing information to UNAC/UHCP. The settlement requires Chino to post and email notices to the Bargaining Unit promising not to engage in similar conduct again and informing registered nurses of their union rights.

Chino —

On April 30, the NLRB in Washington, DC adopted a judge’s earlier ruling that Chino engaged in “serious,” “egregious” and “widespread misconduct” around the time Chino RNs overwhelmingly voted to join UNAC/UHCP. The Union also prevailed in expanding the judge’s previously-ordered remedy. Chino has appealed to federal court.