Registered Nurses at Skagit Valley Hospital Hold Rally During Stalled Contract Negotiations

MOUNT VERNON, Wash., June 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), representing over 440 registered nurses at Skagit Valley Hospital, held a rally today to highlight issues critical to patient safety and nurse retention. Over 250 nurses and community members gathered at the Skagit County Courthouse to support the nurses and learn about key concerns including the ability to take uninterrupted rest breaks, drastic wage cuts, and changes to overtime.

To protect patient and nurse safety, the nurses are demanding that the administration continue providing nurses with a 15-minute uninterrupted block of time for their rest breaks while the administration has proposed switching to intermittent breaks. The administration claims that brief interruptions in work activities, such as going to the bathroom, getting a sip of water, or talking with colleagues, should constitute a break.

"I'm constantly managing critical life and death situations for my patients. It requires focus and alertness throughout my entire shift. These meal breaks and rest breaks ensure that I get a chance to collect myself, recharge, and refocus.  It means I can be at my best when I'm caring for you or your family member," said Christina Jepperson, a registered nurse at Skagit Valley Hospital.

Speakers at the rally also discussed concerns about proposed wage cuts and the impact it would have on the hospital's ability to recruit and retain nurses. At virtually every pay level, management is proposing wage cuts, with experienced nurses seeing the worst of it. Skagit Valley Hospital is already paying nurses less than other hospitals in the region, such as United General Hospital. Changes to seniority and layoff language further devalue the dedication of nurses who have spent their careers caring for patients at Skagit Valley.

"The Washington State Nurses Association has negotiated contracts with all types of hospitals across this state. None of these negotiations have resulted in the sweeping policy changes and drastic wage cuts that Skagit Valley Hospital management is proposing. It's truly unprecedented. With these proposals, the administration is saying they don't recognize or respect the critical role registered nurses play in providing safe patient care," said Christine Himmelsbach, MN, RN, Assistant Executive Director of Labor Relations for WSNA.

At the rally, John Tweedy, a registered nurse at Skagit Valley Hospital and Chair of the bargaining unit, urged the public to get involved saying, "Not only are you the tax payers that make this hospital go, but it may be you or your family member that seeks care at Skagit Valley Hospital.  We need your help to hold this administration accountable and to demand that Skagit Valley Hospital reflects the values of this community. That means respecting nurses, keeping the policies that help us do our job well, and giving us a fair contract."

Founded in 1908, WSNA is the professional organization representing more than 16,000 registered nurses in Washington State.  WSNA effectively advocates for the improvement of health standards and availability of quality health care for all people; promotes high standards for the nursing profession; and advances the professional and economic development of nurses.

SOURCE Washington State Nurses Association