Westminster hospital nurses ratify union contract with raises, shift breaks, patient safety training

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/nurses-703083-union-kindred.html


By MARGOT ROOSEVELT Feb. 7, 2016 Updated 5:01 p.m.

After more than two years of conflict over wages, working conditions and patient safety, 150 registered nurses at Kindred Hospital Westminster, a 109-bed acute care facility, ratified a collective bargaining agreement this week.

The union contract, negotiated by the California Nurses Association, provides for a 10 percent wage hike over three years, a ban on mandatory overtime, guaranteed meal and rest breaks, and training to reduce patient falls and nurse injuries.

The agreement was the latest victory for the California Nurses Association, one of the nation’s fastest growing unions, with 96,000 members statewide.

In Orange County, the union represents 4,000 registered nurses at six hospitals, including UC Irvine Medical Center, Chapman Global Medical Center, Anaheim Global Medical Center, Coastal Communities Hospital, Los Alamitos Medical Center and Kindred.

FULL story at link.