January 2012 was a busy month for 121RN bargaining unit nurses at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center.

Web scheduling is the biggest issue of concern throughout most of the hospital. Most units are not adhering to our contract language on self-scheduling. The 5 Central nurses have expressed concerns and are now working with our Union and management to improve schedule issues. Congratulations to 5 Central nurses for standing firm and working together.

LDRP had a big problem with their schedules being posted two days ahead of time and days being changed for the weekend. I have asked that the nurses be paid their weekend premium and have stated no discipline should be given to nurses who days were mandatorily changed. Union members and I have asked to meet with current committee members and managers to help them understand our contract language. We want to work together so another event like this doesn’t happen. Training needs to occur as soon as possible. Human Resources is reviewing this issue.

Thank you ICU nurses for informing us of another contract violation of displaying on the unit a nurses’ names along with discipline received. Human Resources has assured me no posting of names will be done. The managers have been informed and should be meeting with any nurse they believe needs some improvement on a one-to-one basis.

ER has had another complicated month. Staffing, scheduling, doctors, and changes within the emergency unit have been ongoing. They continue to have many issues. I ask that fellow nurses on other units not pass judgment on some of the new measures put in place and vice versa. This just makes changes more difficult. Talk to each other to resolve issues around the new transformations.

Bargaining Unit nurses throughout the hospital have been given more duties and there have been many changes in hospital protocols requiring additional nurse responsibility without being given any more time. Many ward clerks and CNAs have been laid off.  This has also happened with the housekeeping staff. This makes workloads more complicated and heavy for nurses and others everywhere. Many Charge Nurses have to take patient assignments. Pomona nurses would like a class with the BRN on patient ratios and responsibility of the bedside nurse, manager and administration of the hospital.

Debbie Pendergraft, RNC

Union Representative for Pomona Valley