YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The union representing registered nurses at Northside Medical Center says allegations that its members would put the hospital or the care of its patients at risk “are simply not true.”
In responding to the statement Friday by ValleyCare Health System of Ohio (CLICK TO READ), the Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association said as a “result of shrinking numbers” of registered nurses as Northside the union put forth “several proposals concerning the maintenance of quality care, protection of patients and necessary staffing needed to achieve those goals.” However, the proposals were “simply rejected” by ValleyCare without counterproposals or explanations, or listening to the “evidence-based” rationale behind the proposals.
Last week the union voted to authorize its bargaining unit to issue a 10-day strike notice if conditions warrant. The nurses' contract expires Thursday.
Here is the unedited text of the YGDNA statement:
The excellent care at the Community Health Systems (CHS) subsidiary, ValleyCare Health Systems of Ohio’s Northside Medical Center (NMC) is being provided, as always, by the YGDNA RNs and other healthcare staff who live here in the Valley. Not only do we provide the quality care but we and our families, friends and neighbors are devoted consumers of that same care so we have a considerable vested interest in maintaining the quality of that care. We did so achieving numerous awards (5 Star ratings) even through the bankruptcy of previous employers and now the indifference of our new employer. Therefore, allegations that we would put the hospital or the care of patients (largely our families, friends, neighbors and ourselves) at risk are simply not true. So what is the truth?
As a result of shrinking numbers of RNs working at NMC, the YGDNA RNs put forth several proposals concerning the maintenance of quality care, protection of patients and necessary staffing needed to achieve those goals. These proposals were simply rejected by the employer (no counters given, no explanations offered, nor would they listen to the evidence based rationale for offering the proposals). Instead of working with the YGDNA to solve the short staffing problems which occur frequently and could compromise patient care, CHS/ValleyCare offered a proposal to send RNs home up to four shifts a pay period in order to save money, putting PROFITS OVER PATIENTS. In order to cover shortfalls in staffing, CHS/ValleyCare wants the ability to force RNs that remain on the units to work MANDATORY overtime as the resolution to their daily staffing dilemmas. Such a resolution creates a less than optimal environment for patients and nurses.
The YGDNA RNs and other healthcare professionals at NMC have not had a wage increase and have endured considerable loss of benefits in the area of healthcare, pension and time off over the last six years. Yes, we did agree to this in order to help our past employers so that the hospital could recover and continue to serve our community. Now, when our present employer, a for-profit and very profitable company has taken the reigns, the RNs did ask for a wage and benefit increase and instead of showing value in NMC employees and working with them to restore to them life-changing economic losses, CHS/ValleyCare/NMC refuses to discuss these issues and proposes: to eliminate the RN wage scale, lowers wages for new RNs, made an “initial” wage proposal (that has yet to be modified) that does little to attract new RNs or retain experienced RNs. It also does little to rectify cost of living pressures and offers increased insurance premiums for those that deliver that very healthcare. Knowing all of this, we see no evidence of value and it is understandable why RNs working there believe that CHS/ValleyCare Employers do not value them at all.
The YGDNA RNs believe we can come to an agreement and have been earnest in trying to do so despite the lack of respect and unwillingness for discussion that CHS/ValleyCare has exhibited at the Bargaining Table. The YGDNA RNs agree that the issue that matters most of all is the quality of care provided for our patients and our families including ourselves. The CEO of CHS/ValleyCare/NMC can only speak of that care but the RNs actually deliver the care. We will never waiver from our commitment to our patients and our community. In short, the YGDNA RNs are willing to do whatever it takes to assure the quality care that this community has become accustomed to receiving at Northside Medical Center in Youngstown, Ohio.
SOURCE: Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.