Advertisement
At the same time, 500 RNs from Fremont-Rideout Health Group in Yuba Cityand Marysville will embark on a one-day strike of their own. Indicative ofmanagement's hostile attitude to their nurses, the RNs will be locked out foran additional ten days.
Advertisement
Thousands of RNs have struck Sutter facilities twice already, though thisis the first 10-day strike. The key reason for the walkouts is the pattern ofpatient safety risks caused by Sutter's refusal to schedule RNs to care forpatients when nurses are on legally-mandated meal or rest breaks. Suchscheduling gaps leave patients unattended and at risk for sentinel events.Nurses are also concerned over Sutter's practice of medical redlining byclosing hospitals in medically underserved areas (St. Luke's Hospital in SanFrancisco and San Leandro Hospital), and their refusal to agree to fairsettlements on issues of healthcare and retiree healthcare and pensions.
"Sutter cannot expect RNs to sit idly by and watch the ongoing problemswith patient care and patient safety at our hospitals. When there are notenough nurses, patients are put at risk, period. We don't want to strike, butour ethical obligation as patient advocates demands it," added Sharon Tobin,an RN at Mills-Peninsula Hospital.
"Sutter has responded to our patient care concerns with a campaign ofharassment, intimidation, and lies, but nurses cannot and will not compromiseon patient safety," added Jan Rodolfo, an RN as Summit Medical Center.
Mills-Peninsula Health Services, Peninsula Campus -- 1501 Trousdale Dr.,Burlingame
Mills-Peninsula Health Services, Mills Campus -- 100 South San MateoDrive, San Mateo
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Berkeley Campus -- 2450 Ashby Ave.,Berkeley
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Herrick Campus -- 2001 Dwight Way,Berkeley
Representing some 80,000 RNs in all 50 states, the California NursesAssociation/National Nurses Organizing Committee is the largest andfastest-growing association of direct-care RNs in the nation. Learn more athttp://www.calnurses.org.Following is a general schedule; details will be sent out each day: -- Friday March 21, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.: RNs picket every facility. Kickoff event 7 am, Summit Medical Center, and major rally 12 noon Summit Medical Center -- Saturday March 22, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.: "Family Day" on the picket line, with kids' activities, facepainting, BBQ. Major rally, 12 noon, California Pacific Medical Center, California campus -- Easter Sunday, March 23, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.: Community and family events at all picket lines -- Monday March 24 through Sunday March 30, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Picketing at all facilities, noon rallies at all facilities. -- Monday March 24, 5:30 p.m.: New Orleans-style Funeral Procession to St. Luke's with local elected officials; starts at St. Anthony Church, 3215 Cesar Chavez St., San Francisco, and continues to St. Luke's -- Wednesday March 26, 5:30 p.m.: Candlelight vigil, San Leandro Hospital with local elected officials -- Sunday, March 30, 12 Noon: Major rally at CPMC with elected officials -- Monday March 31, 7 am -- Nurses return to work Picket line addresses: Sutter Delta Medical Center --
