Hundreds of SEIU-member RNs and healthcare workers walked the sidewalk outside Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center on Vermont Avenue and Fountain in Los Angeles on March 4, calling for safe staffing and affordable healthcare for workers there.

The joint SEIU 121RN and UHW bargaining team at HPMC began negotiations with management last November and they continue to hammer out details of their new contract. The team’s focus has been on safe staffing, affordable healthcare options, a fair disciplinary process and procedures, and retention of experienced staff and recruitment of qualified staff to replace those who have left.

However, management has not responded to critical Union proposals on wages, staffing and affordable healthcare, leading the Bargaining Team to call for the informational picket held on March 4.

Prior to the picket, the teams had reached tentative agreements on a number of articles, either current contract language or minimal changes. Tentative agreements are those articles that both teams agree on, but they remain tentative until the entire contract is passed by the membership.

Registered Nurses also recently submitted to management their proposal for a new Clinical Ladder program. The proposed program will have new requirements, as well as increased levels of compensation for RNs who qualify for each level.

_“_We designed this new program with the hope that it will increase morale and retention of RNs, as well as encourage educational pursuits.” Mary Tary, RN, ICU

Service and Tech employees, members of SEIU-UHW, are focusing on making sure all employees earn the appropriate wages based on the wage scale, and an affordable healthcare plan option.

“Many of the service and tech employees are below their appropriate level on the wage scale. And we need a healthcare plan that is affordable and truly covers the needs of employees. We may as well not have insurance because it’s too expensive.” David Hsu, Secretary, 4S

The SEIU 121RN & UHW Bargaining Team at HPMC

121RN Judy Barkley, RN, MICU Betty Lee, RN, MBCU Jannett Paule, RN, MBCU Mary Tary, RN, ICU

UHW-W Troy Burlette, outpatient physical therapy Elizabeth George, CNA, Telemetry Sara Gezahegne, CNA, Chalet David Hsu, secretary, 4S Rhonda Kirkwood, LVN, 3S Manuel Sanchez, respiratory therapist Jerry Tuazon, Respiratory Therapist