Nurses say management hasn’t addressed key patient care, staffing issues

Nurses at HCA hospitals in the Kansas City area will hold two informational pickets on July 16 and July 17 to protest management’s refusal to address RNs’ concerns about patient care and safe staffing in on-going contract negotiations. Nurses at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo., and at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kan., are represented by National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU).

Nurses at both hospitals began new contract negotiations with HCA in March 2024, but haven’t seen enough movement on key issues. In June, nurses at both facilities rallied together to demand safe staffing and measures to improve staff nurse retention.

Who: Registered nurses at Research and Menorah medical centers
What: Informational pickets for patient safety and a fair contract
Where and When:
Menorah Medical Center:
Tuesday, July 16, 5:45-6:30 p.m.; 5721 W. 119th St., Overland Park, Kan.
On the sidewalk on the north and east sides of the hospital, at the corner of 119th St. and Nall Ave.
Research Medical Center:
Wednesday, July 17, 5:45-6:30 p.m.; 2316 Meyer Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.
On the Meyer Boulevard sidewalk, just south of the hospital’s main entrance.

“We’re holding these informational pickets to let our patients and the public know that we’re fighting for better staffing and better patient care at our hospitals,” Jessica Gessley, RN in the cardiac care unit at Menorah. “We need HCA to give us a contract that improves conditions at our hospital.”

“This is about improving nurses’ working conditions, which are the same conditions we care for our patients in,” said Cheryl Rodarmel, RN in the rehabilitation unit at Research. “We need a strong contract now to take the best care of our patients.”

Nurses notified their employer on July 3 they would hold an informational picket. NNOC represents roughly 1,000 nurses combined at Research and Menorah medical centers, and around 10,000 nurses at HCA facilities nationwide.

National Nurses Organizing Committee is an affiliate of National Nurses United, the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with nearly 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates also include California Nurses Association, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.