Dear 121RN Member:

We learned that the Arbitrator in our case against the hospital has granted management the right to create its Clinical Nurse Coordinator position and eliminate the Charge Nurse position.

That decision, however, was based on claims that the hospital repeatedly made under oath—claims we plan to hold management to, regardless of their true intentions:

1. The hospital made a commitment under oath that no Charge Nurses would be displaced because—in addition to the 59 CNC positions—they claimed they will open an additional 56 staff nurse positions for 24/7 coverage in 13 units. Part of the duties of these new RN positions will include break and meal relief everywhere needed. Again, the Arbitrator indicated that this commitment to transfer Charge Nurses into these new positions influenced his decision. In reaching his decision, he relied on this promise that there would be no loss of Nurses' positions.
2. The hospital also said under oath that there would be no patient care duties in the CNC role. All patient care will be RNs’ role.

A SPECIAL NOTE FROM CHARGE NURSE MO: I know that, like me, a lot of Nurses are grieving right now. This is a painful decision. So many of our units are like a family. And this is a disruption in our family. We already bear so much heartache as we battle a pandemic together. But I also feel pride right now. Proud of the care we’re giving our patients, the support we give each other, and our righteous fights for adequate staffing, proper meal and rest breaks for exhausted RNs, the correct PPE and other pandemic safety measures. Remember: our Stewards, Union staff, our attorneys and our Bargaining Team will continue to do everything humanly possible to keep our families together. I encourage all of my colleagues to continue to be a part of these efforts and to speak up and reach out when management violates safety practices or our contract. Monique Hernandez Nurse Leader

Since learning of this decision, we've sent the hospital a demand to bargain, along with requests for information on all open new positions and management's transition plans. In the meantime, until you hear otherwise from your supervisor, remain in your current role.

Also, as the hospital rolls out its changes, it’s critical that we hear from you.

IF YOU:

1. witness patient care adversely affected in any way as a result of the absence of your charge nurse;
2. were a charge and you’ve applied for, but been denied, a position;
3. were a charge and are still asked to perform charge nurse duties;
4. are out of ratio;
5. witness a CNC providing direct patient care, pulled into ratio;
6. feel that your unit has dangerous gaps—no one to lead codes, provide guidance, etc.;
7. feel that a CNC is not qualified…

…then immediately contact a Steward or our Union Rep/Organizer, Jennifer Sanchez.at (626) 437-6976, sanchezj@seiu121rn.org.

Together, we will hold the hospital to these commitments and, if necessary, go back before an arbitrator on this issue. The Union will remain in close contact with Charge Nurses during these transfers/transitions.

This was a terrible decision. Removing an entire leadership team as we brace for a possible 2nd phase of the pandemic—in the hardest hit hospital in the hardest hit county!—is a recipe for poor patient outcomes. Nurses can stand together to prevent this and make it better.

In Unity, Rosanna Mendez Executive Director

P.S. Please review our "Report Incidents" flyer and use our online ADO