As dedicated Nurses & Medical Professionals committed to the health and safety of our patients, we believe it is crucial to voice our concerns regarding the unacceptable conditions that persist within our facility. Despite our efforts to communicate our needs during contract negotiations, we have encountered numerous alarming issues, including:

Unconscionable Salary Proposals: The hospital's proposed salaries are so low that many full-time employees could qualify for Medicaid and government assistance. Wage proposals for nurses DO NOT support recruitment of new nurses or retention of our skilled senior nurses! This is unacceptable for those who have devoted their careers to serving our community.

 

Wage and Equity Discrepancies: Long-serving employees, including those who have been with us since 1979, are being offered increases that only slightly exceed poverty levels, with raises barely 3% above starting salaries. Nurses are facing proposals with raises as low as 1%, and some are receiving no increase at all. This perpetuates inequity, demoralizes staff, and negatively impacts retention of experienced employees while making recruitment more difficult.

Nurse-to-Patient Matrix: The current staffing practices we believe have compromised patient care and violated established contract provisions regarding patient-to-nurse ratios. We are concerned that the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) is intentionally staffing at the low end of the matrix, purposefully skewing the patient-to-nurse ratio. We stood in solidarity and went on strike in 2004 to ensure safe patient care, and we are dismayed to see these standards being violated now.

Ongoing Layoffs and Reduced Support Staff: Management’s continued layoffs and drastic cuts to support staff in an effort to protect profits show a disregard for our concerns. This undermines our ability to deliver quality care and neglects the welfare of our remaining staff.

These issues reveal a troubling lack of consideration for both our patients and the community we serve. We strongly urge everyone to sign this petition and join our letter campaign to call for the necessary changes. Together, we can advocate for improved working conditions and ensure that patient safety remains a priority in our healthcare facility. Your support is crucial in helping us uphold the integrity of our profession and the health of our community.