For the last several bargaining sessions, management has made it clear that they don't feel like recruitment and retention problems need to be addressed in any meaningful way. We have given them reasonable proposals that would help attract and keep nurses to staff our hospital so that our patients get the care they deserve. Each time, management responds with something that undervalues Garfield Nurses. 

When your bargaining team questioned management about their constant refusal to take retention seriously, management responded that, "everyone has to make a personal decision" about continuing to work in a hospital that devalues Nurses and our contributions.

Well, Nurses are going to make a decision — a collective decision to stand up for fairness, for retention, and for safe staffing. The next step is for Nurses to send a stronger message to management: we are ready to strike for our patients and our profession!

I'm disappointed that management continues to shortchange the care of our patients by offering less than what is necessary to provide safe, quality care at the bedside. We asked for adequate compensation to recruit and retain enough nurses to cover each unit without having to do the job of two or more people or jeopardize patient care. We also addressed the effect faulty and outdated equipment has on working conditions. Stopping to change the computer battery multiple times per shift delays patient care. Communication breaks down because the voicemail doesn’t work. Without hot water we can’t provide scheduled showers to our patients. Our overwhelming workload and lack of resources prevent us from doing our best job and contribute to low morale. That’s why I am willing to take a stand and strike for my patients and coworkers!

Christina Smith, Rehab
Bargaining Team Member