Kaiser, nurses union reach tentative agreement; two-day strike called off

[Omaha Steve]

Source: The Reporter

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The union that represents about 18,000 Kaiser Permanente nurses in Northern and Central California has reached a tentative contract with the medical provider and canceled a two-day strike planned for next week at 86 hospitals and clinics including the hospitals in Vacaville and Vallejo.

The California Nurses Association said the agreement announced Saturday will increase the pay for registered nurses and nurse practitioners by 14 percent over three years. RNs will also receive larger pension contributions.

The union said the settlement hinged on Kaiser agreeing to set up a committee to address patient care and workplace safety concerns the nurses have raised. The concerns include restrictions on patient admissions, early discharges, and insufficient training and equipment.

California’s nurses are affiliated with National Nurses United, the nation’s largest nurses’ union. Executive Director RoseAnn DeMoro said the favorable terms of the Kaiser agreement could help improve working conditions for nurses elsewhere in the U.S.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.thereporter.com/general-news/20150117/kaiser-nurses-union-reach-tentative-agreement-two-day-strike-called-off

[King_Klonopin]

1. When the U.S. finally succeeds at getting single-payer health care,

Nurses' Labor Unions and Professional Organizations will be at
the forefront.

I'm a member of one myself in Mass. (MNA) and what we strive
for is equitable service allocation, justice in the workplace, a
minimum standard for safety and quality of care for patients and
the people who care for them, placing actual health care and
positive outcomes above profits. Of course, opposing forces try
to portray us as selfish money-grubbers.