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Safety & Health Issues Safety in the workplace is crucial to continuing your job. Having the proper equipment and training, proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), lift devices, needles with retraction, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets, spill kits, etc. will keep you working. For more information, visit the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries website. Resources: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries Public Health Preparedness and Response Center for the Study of Bioterrorism and Emerging Infections Bioterrorism as a Public Health Threat Bioterrorism Publications at the National Institute of Health OSHA Facts About Anthrax Safety Workplace Rights Washington State Dept. of Health
March 1, 2010 President’s Report As the New Year passed and we entered into President Obama’s second year as our nation’s leader many questions remain unanswered. How to make sure that all Americans are able to get good affordable Healthcare, and when will the economy straighten out so those of us without work will find a job? Most are on the rise, but will take time and some issues WE the people can have an impact. It’s this very point where I would like to start. On President’s day I and some of the staff joined thousands of Washington citizens who came together on the steps of the Capitol to stop unneeded cuts to the State’s budget. Those cuts would greatly affect unemployment and other programs designed to help the most vulnerable of us, the elderly, sick, very young and the unemployed. Pretty soon we will again be out on the street for Healthcare reform, please join us, if you can. Along those lines, I also attended the Legislative hearing on meals and breaks for Healthcare Workers with Union Rep and Lobbyist Sharon Ness along with not only our members but also other union members and concerned citizens as well. Please take time to look at the website restbreaks4safety.com for more detail. As for how things are with respects to our members and our union; here are some of the most crucial and recent happenings. At St. Peters a grievance on annual leave usage was recently settled and we are continuing contract negotiations. Agreement on several language issues including access to the facility, bulletin board postings, new hire orientation, layoff notice and peer review. The parties are still talking about wages, premiums and health coverage and the employer’s desire to change the retirement plan. Next scheduled session is in March. The Union continues to bring closure to the Meals and Breaks Arbitration decision at St. Peters. It was decided to return to the Arbitrator rather than seek a court’s decision. This has been a 3 year conflict with management, and an equally long wait for our members. Thank you ALL for your patience. At Auburn Regional the USNU negotiating team and Management agreed to request the assistance of a Federal Mediator. Our first meeting with the Mediator is in the scheduling process. Many grievances have been settled at hospitals across the state, recently as well. At Providence Everett, Union Rep Damian Kent is now attending all New Hire orientations and Conference Committee as well. Where, we have been able to settle many issues without having to file a grievance. Providence St. Mary’s negotiations have been prolonged due to the retirement changes and other outstanding issues. Also the Union has gone from 25-30 grievances a month ago to now under ten, great work! Many wonder why during negotiations that specific information is not revealed until the vote count. Each team of nurses representing you at the bargaining table is an integral part of the decisions made about the issue being discussed, but the specifics must be held back. The negotiating process is fluid and involves a lot of strategy, which can’t be compromised. Issues being accepted or rejected by the team is an integral part of the negotiating process and having it all out in the public eliminates some of your ability to get the best possible outcomes. In the end, all issues discussed and anything agreed on will ultimately have to be accepted or rejected by the members. So, as you can see it has already been a busy year and it promises to continue as no less than six contracts are up over the next six months and negotiations should be tough with all things considered. Keep informing the Union of issues that need to be corrected, and stay committed to a safe working environment that allows for quality patient care. Sincerely, Marilyn Savage
February 18, 2010 Do you want YOUR Breaks? http://www.restbreaks4safety.com/ E2S HB 3024 is scheduled for a hearing in the Washington State Senate next week. This bill ensures that healthcare workers like RN’s and techs such as cardiovascular or CT techs get uninterrupted meals and breaks. As we all know safety for our patients is essential and getting rest breaks is a must to avoid fatigue. This bill does not affect nurses rights to schedule breaks, it does not supersede a nurse or techs critical decisions about if a break is possible, and it does not tell a nurse or tech to leave a patient in crisis – these are false statements made by those opposing the bill. Call your Senators and tell them why breaks are important to you. Also let them know where you work. Share this information with your family, friends, and co-workers. Encourage people to call in over the next 5 days. Put the information on your Facebook page. Let your voice be heard, and help ensure that you receive the meals and rest breaks that you need... that you deserve! For more information on the bill go to http://www.restbreaks4safety.com/ and click on the link to EMAIL your Senator. Or call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000. Also watch for more information by tuning into King 5, KONG, NWCN, (or the NBC station if you are in the Spokane area) during news broad casts or during the Olympic Programming.
February 2, 2010 PSPH MEALS & BREAKS UPDATE The Union and the Hospital attempted to resolve their differences regarding outstanding claims for missed meals and breaks using the services of a public mediator. Unfortunately, the mediation process did not result in a settlement agreement the Union could recommend. Accordingly, the parties have agreed to use binding arbitration to resolve all outstanding issues relating to the claims form process under the arbitration award. Once an arbitrator is selected and a hearing date confirmed, the Union will provide you with further information regarding how your claim will be presented and whether you will be asked to participate in a hearing Important Survey regarding Breaks and Lunches Are you getting your breaks and lunches? When you get a break is it a 15 minute block or interrupted numerous times? Do you run in the break room and take a couple of bites and call that lunch? As nurses we know that breaks and lunches provide an opportunity to re-group and get away from the frenzy on the unit and relax. Rest periods are necessary to maintain alertness in order to focus. Articles show that fatigue leads to the potential for medical errors. Please take a moment to do the survey. This survey is being done by staff nurses across Washington that are represented by UFCW Local 141 USNU; SEIU 1199 NW, and WSNA. The results will be utilized to develop policy to provide breaks and lunches for nurses and other health care workers. Thank you for your time. Follow the link and take the survey as soon as possible. Solidarity Works | |
