For Immediate Release
December 16, 2011
 
Candle Light Vigil Monday
Hospital continues to stall talks, push for silencing nurse’s voice
 
RNs at Saint John’s Health Center will hold a candle light vigil this Monday, December, 19 because of management’s refusal to seriously address key patient safety and nurse injury prevention proposals, and its continual delay on negotiations on these issues.

Saint Johns RNs chose to join the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United because of ongoing concerns over patient safety issues. The RNs voted  to join CNA/NNU by  63 percent in a union election in May, when contract talks began. Since that time, hospital management has dragged out the negotiation process and refused to correct safety deficiencies RNs have identified in departments throughout the hospital, including short staffing, lack of meal and break coverage, and cuts to support staff.

WHAT: St. Johns RN Candle Light Vigil
WHEN: Monday, December, 19, 6 pm until 8 pm
WHERE: 2121 Santa Monica blvd, Santa Monica, CA
 
The hospital is also demanding a heavy-handed prohibition against any public action by the nurses that would effectively censor RNs and prevent them from informing the public of issues concerning patient safety at the hospital.
 
The RNs say the hospital demand would prohibit nurses from the right of being able to speak freely about conditions at the hospital, including standing outside with a sign, to discuss issues on websites and social media, or to purchase advertisements if needed.

Management’s proposal would not only ban these activities, say the nurses, but also allow management to “selectively” target and punish union leaders for not only speaking out, but even for failing to stop others from speaking freely.
 
Also in dispute, is RN-to-patient ratios, where management wants to have less skilled “licensed” rather than “registered” nurses, to be counted in the ratios, contrary to the language of the state law, AB 394.

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