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What Kaiser Sunset RNs Are Saying About the New Agreement
“We’ll now be staffing by acuity. We won’t
be just counting heads, but really improving patient care because we will
have more time for each patient.” “For the first time, charge nurses will decide
the number of RNs needed on the floor. It’s a real breakthrough and
a new beginning we hope will lead to a better relationship with management.”
“Thanks to the union and everyone else who worked
so hard to give us this great contract. It gives us more of a voice, and
now they have to listen to us.” “The morale is better, we have more job security,
and management is more pro-active. Everyone benefits because of this agreement.”
“I came from England where the union is very strong
and we have universal access to health care, to working in a non-union
facility where nurses had no rights. I quit soon after and came to Kaiser.
I am very impressed by the contract, especially the raises and extra pay
for teaching new nurses that pays me extra when I spend time with a new
staff nurse. It’s these little things that make a big difference.” |
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“This
is a fundamental change in how the hospital operates. We are moving from
an adversarial relationship to one based on cooperation. Our emphasis
is once again focusing on providing quality patient care, where it belongs.
On staffing committees, staff nurses will have a voice on developing the
budget and how much to spend on staffing. All decisions will be made by
consensus. Any disagreements will go to a neutral arbitrator. This is
real local control.”