Another Gain for Sutter Nurses Across Region

‘We’re United & Ready to Keep Fighting for Ourselves & Our Patients’

Registered nurses who work at Mills-Peninsula Health Services hospitals in San Mateo and Burlingame, Ca. voted by 92 percent Wednesday to approve a new contract becoming the latest Sutter RNs to win a new collective bargaining agreement with significant gains.
 
The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United represents some 700 RNs at the two Peninsula facilities, among 7,000 Sutter RNs represented by CNA across Northern California.
 
The pact protects existing standards while providing across the board pay increases for all Mills Peninsula RNs of at least 20 percent over the next four years, with additional pay based on years of service, that can bring the increases up to 25 percent.
 
"It's been a long fight and we've finally won!  The negotiating process is not for the faint-of-heart.  There were many long days and frustrating discussions with Sutter, many months of explaining the point of view of the RNs at Mills-Peninsula: that we are serious in our endeavors to bring the best possible care to our patients.  This is a great day - we're united and ready to keep fighting for ourselves and our patients." - Richelle Mas, RN, Nurse Negotiator
 
Like their counterparts in other Sutter hospitals, the Mills Peninsula RNs have engaged in a number of collective actions over the past two years while working to win a new contract, much of that time opposing and resisting Sutter demands for broad contract concessions, mainly in health coverage. Under the new agreement Sutter has withdrawn takeaway demands.
 
"We fought tooth-and-nail to get this great contract.  We were guided from start to finish by three priorities, based on the wishes of our fellow Mills-Peninsula Nurses:  improve safe staffing through nurse retention, fight for fair healthcare benefits, and increase our access to time off for rest and relaxation. This overwhelming vote in favor of ratifying the agreement is a validation of our success!" - Natalia Kamentseva, RN, Nurse Negotiator
 
Among other provisions, the agreement adds language to support the participation of Mills Peninsula RNs in planning protections regarding exposure to infectious diseases, such as Ebola, and includes several work schedule improvements.
 
Further, Sutter agreed to end the practice of using unpaid “interns” in training where they provide direct patient care without pay. The contract also assures nurses who are placed in observation status while patients themselves are covered under the nurses’ hospital health plan.
 
"Through persistence, vocalization, and action, our Nurses at Mills-Peninsula have successfully bargained and ratified a contract that finally puts us in a fair and motivating position in relation to other hospitals in the Bay Area.  With this contract, we have won incentives to retain Nurses and provide safe patient care.  The fight continues, but with this vote, we have a higher platform from which to push for further improvements in our work environment.  This not only benefits us, but our patients and their families as well." - Steven Coker, RN,  Facility Bargaining Committee
 
Mills-Peninsula RNs follow their Sutter colleagues at Auburn Faith, Sutter Roseville, Sutter Tracy, Sutter Santa Rosa, and Sutter Lakeside in winning new contract agreements.
 
Contact talks continue for CNA-represented Sutter RNs at California Pacific Medical Center hospitals in San Francisco, St. Luke’s, California, and Pacific campuses; Alta Bates Summit Medical Center facilities in Berkeley and Oakland; Novato Community Hospital; Sutter Delta in Antioch; Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley; and Sutter Santa Cruz, a visiting nurses home health service.