Hollister
– Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital and the nurses’ union are
preparing to head back to the table next week, but officials on
both sides say it’s been business as usual in the two weeks since
the union voted to authorize a strike if negotiations cannot
progress.
Hollister – Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital and the nurses’ union are preparing to head back to the table next week, but officials on both sides say it’s been business as usual in the two weeks since the union voted to authorize a strike if negotiations cannot progress.
“The nurses are continuing to give the best care they can,” said Patty Lasky, a representative of the California Nurses’ Association. “That’s not going to just stop; the community can be assured of that.”
Hazel Hawkins Spokeswoman Frankie Valent-Arballo confirmed that hospital operations have not been altered by the union’s decision.
“Everything seems pretty status quo,” she said.
Two weeks ago nurses voted to allow a strike if contract negotiations don’t pick up some steam. But while the vote authorizes a strike, it was not a formal decision to do so. Typically, officials said a 10-day notice of intent to strike is given to the hospital, ostensibly to allow sufficient time for substitutes to be hired. Because no date has been set, there is no guarantee that the strike will even happen.
The union’s major contention with the hospital is over a staffing shortage, which nurses said means they end up working more hours than they should have to, and often are forced to skip breaks and meals.
“They’re working additional shifts, more than full-time, in order to make up for a lack of staffing because there’s no one else to do it,” Lasky said.
The union also wants the hospital to increase wages and re-examine retirement benefits in order to be more competitive with other hospitals in the area. According to Lasky, a nurse with five years of experience makes $40.45 an hour at Hazel Hawkins; a nurse with the same experience could make $45.40 at St. Louise Hospital in Gilroy or $50.43 at Salinas Valley Hospital.
“We aren’t even asking for the $50,” Lasky said. “But we do want to be competitive with St. Louise so we don’t end up losing nurses.”
There are nursing programs offered through community colleges and vocational schools in both Gilroy and Salinas, and none in Hollister, so Hazel Hawkins may face an additional challenge when recruiting nurses.
“But we’re not just thinking about the new grads,” Lasky said. “We’re also thinking of experienced nurses.”
Lasky said there is a “significant” number of RNs who live in Hollister but work in Gilroy, Salinas or even San Jose, opting to brave the commuter rush in favor of better wages and benefits.
“People want to work in their own communities, but they’ll leave if the wages are more attractive,” Lasky said. “There is a large contingent of nurses who are dedicated to serving this community, but they deserve (competitive) wages.”
Hazel Hawkins officials have maintained that their wages and benefits are competitive. Hospital CEO Ken Underwood also took care to point out that negotiators have yet to talk about pay and benefits at the table.
Lasky said the union believes the decision to authorize a strike will push the negotiation process forward.
“Hopefully we’ll make some progress,” she said. “I hope the employer understands how serious this is.”
A strike has the potential to affect roughly 120 registered nurses represented by the association, working in both the hospital proper and the skilled nursing facility. Hospital officials have said a strike would probably not affect the licensed vocational nurses and registered nurse practitioners employed by Hazel Hawkins, nor anyone working in one of the district’s clinics in San Benito County. Should a strike take place, the remaining workforce will be used to continue providing patient care, as well as for traveling nurses who can be hired for the duration of the strike.
Negotiations will recommence next Wednesday and Thursday.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected].
