Union In Brief – Fall 2015

October 2015

ST. FRANCIS

The Daughters of Charity Health System (DOCHS) has filed to transfer control of its six hospitals, including St. Francis Medical Center, over to Blue Mountain Capital Management. As reported in news outlets, the deal is up for review by Attorney General Kamala Harris and is part of a recapitalization plan which infuses $250 million into the health system. It does not give Blue Mountain an ownership stake at this time.

At this time, we do not have any additional information on Blue Mountain. The goals of St. Francis Registered Nurses Association (SFRNA) and UNAC/UHCP have always been to protect our community, our patients, our nurses, and our pension. Those goals will not change. The SFRNA contract and protections remain in effect and we will continue to provide outstanding, safe patient care. We will fight for nurses at St. Francis and work to ensure that members’ jobs and benefits are fully protected through these changes. We will notify SFRNA members as more information becomes available.

CORONA

The Corona RN bargaining team continues to bargain with UHS-Corona management for their first contract. With the recent unfair labor practice win, RNs at Corona are able to see why having a union is so valuable. The team has been addressing tough issues at the bargaining table and will continue to push for proposals to improve patient safety and conditions in the workplace.

Keep up with Corona bargaining at http://archive.unacuhcp.org/campaigns/corona-bargaining/

PETTIS

The Pettis Memorial Registered Nurses Association (PMRNA) bargaining team has made progress during their meetings with agency representatives at the bargaining table. A few tentative agreements were reached at the bargaining table in August and the team will continue to seek improvements in their outdated collective bargaining agreement. To encourage solidarity in the workplace, the team has instituted “Monday Blues,” a day of action where members wear their blue UNAC/UHCP scrub tops to show support for their bargaining team. The VA nurses at Pettis continue to stand united for quality patient care, safety for all, and better working conditions at bargaining sessions scheduled through the rest of the year.

Pettis bargaining updates will be available at: http://archive.unacuhcp.org/campaigns/pettis-bargaining/