Latest News

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7/8/2008  WAGE INCREASES

On your next paycheck, you will see wage increases that were negotiated by ONA in the last contract. Wage rates will increase by 3%, and a new 25 year step will be added. In addition the standby rate will be increased to $5.00 per hour.

7/7/2008  MEET CANDIDATES 7/9/08

ONA has requested input from Bend Bargaining unit nurses on candidate endorsements for the legislature. You are invited to attend ONA interviews of candidates on Wednesday, July 9th from 5-8:00 p.m., at the Hospital Conference Room A. The candidates who have been invited by ONA’s state-wide political action committee (ON-PAC) are: >> Senate District 27 Chris Telfer (R) Maren Lundgren (D) >> House District 53 Rep. Gene Whitnant (R) Conrad Ruel (D) >> House District 54 -- candidates both invited, unable to attend This will be a great chance to meet the candidates from both parties, and to have a voice in ONA’s decision making process. In addition ON-PAC is looking for a representative from Bend to represent Central Oregon on the state-wide committee. ON-PAC meets monthly, usually in Tualatin on the second Monday from 6-8 p.m. There is also a vacancy on ONA’s state-wide Cabinet on Health Policy, which sets ONA’s legislative priorities. This cabinet meets monthly, usually in Tualatin on the second Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Travel expenses are reimbursed. If you are interested, e-mail me at onabend@coinet.com, or attend the meeting on Wednesday. Cordially, Alison Hamway ONA Labor Relations Representative

7/3/2008  STAFFING/ACUITY SURVEY

ONA Nurses, Your PNCC and Unit Reps committees have put out a Staff Nurse Acuity Survey. We would like to get your opinion on how things are going on your unit. Please take a few minutes and fill out the survey, there are three options on filling it out: - go to stcharlesnursing.org, after logging in you will immediately see a link to the survey. or, - make a copy of the survey and send to PNCC via snail mail. (copies of the survey have been placed in all report rooms, or ask your unit rep) or, - send email response to John Nangle at johne@bendcable.com John Nangle, Unit Rep Chair

6/27/2008  LABOR MANAGEMENT: PERIOP, PREMIUM PLUS DISCUSSED

The LMC meeting on June 24th was attended by Shelley Lewis Leander, Angie Streeter, Elaine Teague-Bennett, Lisa Bearup, Randall Hanson-McBride, Alison Corey, Kathy Lenhart, and Alison Hamway. Management representatives included Mara Kerr, Karen McGuire, Leslie Toll, Jane Hanson, Joyce Tittle, Nancy Simonsen, Carol Velasquez, Debra Robinson, Rick Martin, and Penny Wingert. Randall Hanson McBride was introduced as the new LMC member from ONA, replacing Steve Lowry. HR/breaks: HR increased for the month of May (to 2227 hours); we discussed some discrepancies in the statistics. In some units patient census was down. NICU will be returning to a level 3 in August. Missed meals and breaks are very low; only 10 missed breaks were reported in May for the entire Hospital. ONA believes that nurses are still not reporting missed breaks. Nurse Executive Report: Jane Hanson reported that during Health Sync/McKesson, some nurses may be given the option to come in to training on a day off; such training will be paid at premium pay. McKesson training was changed to three 4-hour sessions; this creates some problems for nurse managers in scheduling. “Super users” will be scheduled for training on August 14th; training for end users will begin September 1st. Mara Kerr announced a new manager, Carol Genz-Moul has been hired for FBC. In some cases, caregivers will be sent to the training when otherwise they might be HR’d. Carol Velasquez is recruiting for an OR manager, and ED is recruiting for a supervisor/educator. ONA asked about a new policy about disciplining caregivers with excessive overtime. Per management, there has been no new policy; some managers did meet to discuss how to monitor and control excessive overtime, and the fact that there is not currently a definition for excessive overtime. ONA pointed out that the contract requires just cause for any kind of employee discipline, and contract language overrules any employer policy. OR: PeriOp issues were discussed by Carol Velasquez and Elaine Teague-Bennett. Several nurses have volunteered to participate on the OR standby work instruction; 3 from OR East and 3 from OR West will be selected. We discussed the Heart team standby; a prior agreement to increase the size of the Heart team has not been fulfilled, and the heart team has been working huge amounts of standby. A subcommittee will meet within the next week to work on a recommended solution. OR nurses have been put in the role surgical assistants by some doctors mid-surgery; in some instances this has gone outside the guideline recommended by the Board of Nursing. Nurses need to be empowered to refuse such conflicts in assignment. PACU: We discussed the mandatory Saturday meeting scheduled for PACU nurses. The goal of the meeting is to improve team dynamics, to discuss the Gallup poll results and agree on recommended actions, and to take the team to the next level. It was agreed that the meeting would be rescheduled in the fall, and more advance notice would be given. If nurses are unable to attend on the scheduled date, an alternate date will be scheduled for a make-up meeting. PACU mandatory standby has been decreased. Because PACU has filled all positions, including the variable shift and on call only, the PACU internship will likely be scheduled later, in the fall. Seasonal LOA: Seasonal employee letter of agreement was discussed and a tentative agreement was reached. Seasonal employees will be compensated the same as per diem nurses, and will be used in Departments that have seasonal fluctuations, or as an alternative to travelers for limited durations (such as during McKesson training). FBC: The Mother Child mandatory standby letter of agreement was modified to remove relief nurses. This will be a 6 month trial basis. Open Discussion: During open discussion, several team members discussed problems with the payroll. Karen Hughes will be invited to the next LMC. Next meeting will be July 22nd, 1-4 p.m., Heart Center Conference room.

6/20/2008  LMC MEETS 6/24 HEART CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM

LMC meets on Tuesday 1-4 p.m. in the Heart Center Conference room. The agenda is below; nurses are welcome to attend. Labor Management Committee Meeting June 24, 2008 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Discussion Agenda             Location:       Heart Center Conference Room        Start Time      Time            Subject 1:00 PM      10 Minutes      All      •      Review Agenda •      Meeting Minutes 1:10 PM      10 minutes      Mary Demaris      •      HR Reports •      Missed Breaks/Meal Periods 1:20 PM      20 Minutes      Jane Hanson       •      CNO Update 1:40 PM       30 minutes      Peri-Op Nurses Carol Velasquez      •      OR WI Standby •      Heart Team Standby; OR assistance; PACU mandatory meeting 2:10 PM      20 Minutes      Leslie Toll Alison Hamway      •      PPlus Report Pay Guarantee 2:30 PM      10 Minutes      Leslie Toll Alison Hamway      •      Seasonal Language Update 2:40 PM      30 minutes      Mara Kerr M&C Nurses      •       FBC Mandatory Standby LOA 3:10 PM      15 Minutes      Joyce Title      •      PACU Internship 3:25 PM      15 Minutes      All      •      Open Discussion 3:40 PM            Closing      •      Wrap Up •      Agenda Next Meeting Next Meeting: July 22, 2008 @ 1:00 PM, Heart Center Conference Room

6/16/2008  ONA RALLY 7/1 IN MEDFORD: SUPPORT PROVIDENCE RNS

PROVIDENCEMEDFORD Nurses Working Together To Collectively Improve Patient Care and Promote the Profession of Nursing PMMC RNs Invite Our Nursing & Labor Community to An Independence Day BBQ Picnic Please join us for an evening of celebration as we prepare for our election and form our first union through ONA! 4pm Tuesday—July 1, 2008 Alba Park, Medford OR Guest Speakers TBA Alba Park is located at West Main Street and South Holly Street (near the Post Office) Parking Options: Free Street Parking, 3-Hour Free Parking on Ground floor of Middleford Structure Please see reverse side for map. BBQ, games and music will be for everyone to enjoy—families are welcome! Please Bring Your Own Picnic Chair! Contact: Courtney Niebel @ (503) 293-0011 Extension 341 Oregon Nurses Association 18765 SW Boones Ferry Road, Suite 200 Tualatin, OR97062 503-293-0011 800-634-3552 (Oregon Only) Fax: 503-293-0013 www.oregonrn.org

6/10/2008  WHO’S RUNNING THOSE ANTI UNION ADS ON TV?

Have you seen those offensive ads on TV saying “union bosses” oppose secret ballot elections and want to “harass” more people into joining unions? They’re from a group called the Center For Union Facts, but the “center” is really a front group for a high-priced Washington lobbyist named Daniel Berman, who represents tobacco, restaurant, food, & hotel industries. (Think Phillip Morris, which has given Berman over $3 million and which bankrolled the campaign against ONA’s Healthy Kids ballot measure last fall.) Berman is also actively supported by the national Chamber of Commerce. The Center for Union Facts ran a series of TV ads in Oregon and three other states in August 2006 attacking public employees as overpaid and ineffective, because all of these states had tax limitation measures on the ballot that fall. They are running their anti-union ads now, because Oregon will be voting on several anti-union Bill Sizemore measures this fall. At least one is aimed at making it extremely difficult for unions, like ONA, to raise money from its members for political purposes. For more info. on this group: www.americanrightsatwork.org.

6/4/2008  LMC MAY 27TH MEETING MINUTES

At the LMC on May 27th, progress was made on several issues. Signed MDU and Radiology LOAs were circulated. Mary Demaris presented the updated HR reports and reports on missed meals and breaks. HR continued on a positive trend. ONA members expressed concern that the changed acuity matrix may result in more HR. Jane Hanson responded that so far nurses have been not seeing much of an increase in HR; she has had complaints from CNAs regarding increased call off. We discussed the fact that nurses STILL are not filling out the forms for missed meals and breaks in some units. Jane Hanson discussed the McKesson implementation. Revenue and OR supply are going live on June 1st; managers will be on hand to work on any bugs in the system. Jane also said she is working with the staffing committee to reach a mutual agreement on the acuity system. This is still a work in progress. IMCU is concerned about their staffing mix; we informed Jane that this is an issue in all the units when a CNA is taken out of the staffing mix due to a 1:1. Jane confirmed that she is willing to revisit all the decisions that have been made. She also updated us on the management structure and changes in the Board of Directors. Several of the Board’s committees are being combined. She announced that ONA labor relations representative Alison Hamway has been invited to join the Quality Assurance committee, which will look at long range goals and services for CHC. Mara Kerr presented the new FBC LOA. The relief nurses are being removed from mandatory standby; management had agreed to this change because it conflicts with contract language. Several other changes were proposed by staff nurses; unfortunately many of the proposed changes were in conflict and no consensus was reached, so the removal of the relief nurses from mandatory standby is the only change in the LOA. Mara also reported that the triage nurses are going to 12 hour shifts. Carol Velasquez and Elaine Bennett discussed the ongoing problems with the OR merger. A work group will re-convene, to discuss changes that may help the merger go more smoothly. The basics of the merger will remain the same (i.e., there is only one OR, and everyone will be expected to take standby and to cross-train); however they will be open to discussion of other potential solutions that may alleviate some of the standby and cross-training issues (such as creating a night shift if the number of cases justifies the shift vs. standby, and/or possibly recruiting for a standby only RN such as was agreed to in PACU). Also we discussed the problems of excessive standby for the heart team. The retiree/financial planning fair will occur in the fall, along with open enrollment. SCMC and Partners Group (benefits provider) will provide information on planning for retirement and existing options for health care after retirement. The fair will be open to all employees. We also reviewed the draft Seasonal letter of agreement. This will create a new classification of seasonal employees, which can be used in lieu of travelers where there is a seasonal need. Seasonal RNs will be compensated like per diem nurses, but will only be used for 12 week periods (may be extended by 4 weeks at a time with joint approval). The seasonal classification was agreed to in Redmond, and has been successful there. ONA will prepare a counter proposal to the management proposal to clarify some concerns. Next meeting will be June 24th, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Heart Center Conference room.

5/22/2008  LMC MEETS 5/27 1-4; OR AND FBC ON AGENDA

Labor Management Committee meet on Tuesday May 27th, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Conference room C. Important topics on the agenda include Acuity staffing update by Jane Hanson (where we hope to learn about progress being made on joint staffing committee), OR merger update/issues, and FBC standby and triage. The planned agenda is below. Labor Management Committee Meeting May 27, 2008 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Discussion Agenda             Location:       Conference Room C        Start Time      Time            Subject 1:00 PM      10 Minutes      All      •      Review Agenda •      Meeting Minutes 1:10 PM      10 minutes      Mary Demaris      •      HR Reports •      Missed Breaks/Meal Periods 1:20 PM      20 Minutes      Jane Hanson Betsy Mitchell      •      McKesson Update 1:40 PM      30 minutes      Mara Kerr M&C Nurses      •      Triage Update •      Discuss Mandatory Standby LOA Update 2:10 PM      20 Minutes      Jane Hanson      •      CNO Update •      Acuity Staffing Update 2:30 PM      30 Minutes      Peri-Op Nurses Carol Velasquez      •      OR WI Standby •      OR Merger Cross Training •      Skill Mix 3:00 PM      10 Minutes      Leslie Toll      •      Retiree/Financial Planning Fair 3:00 PM      20 Minutes      Alison Hamway      •      Seasonal Language Proposal 3:20 PM      15 Minutes      All      •      Open Time 3:35 PM      10 Minutes      All      •      Wrap Up •      Agenda Next Meeting

4/17/2008  LMC MEETS 4/22 NOON! AGENDA

Labor management committee will meet next Tuesday 1-4 p.m. in the Heart Center Conference room, the agenda is posted below. Nurses are welcome as observers; if there is an issue affecting your unit please come voice your opinion! Labor Management Committee Meeting April 22, 2008 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Discussion Agenda             Location:       Heart Center Conference Room        Start Time      Time            Subject 1:00 PM      10 Minutes      All      •      Review Agenda •      Meeting Minutes 1:10 PM      10 minutes      Mary Demaris      •      HR Reports •      Missed Breaks/Meal Periods 1:20 PM      20 Minutes      Jane Hanson Betsy Mitchell      •      ETO usage for McKesson go live. •      Mckesson Update 1:40 PM      30 minutes      Mara Kerr M&C Nurses      •      Triage Update •      Discuss Mandatory Standby LOA Update 2:10 PM      20 Minutes      Jane Hanson      •      CNO Update 2:30 PM      10 Minutes      Leslie Toll Jane Hanson      •      Update on CHC LMC Committee Members 2:40 PM      20 Minutes      Leslie Toll       •      Seasonal Classification Discussion 3:00 PM      20 Minutes      Martha Bergelin Chris Shepherd      •      Discuss Retirement/Financial Planning Fair •      403 B Contribution Process 3:20 PM      15 Minutes            •      Open Time 3:35 PM      10 Minutes      All      •      Wrap Up •      Agenda Next Meeting

4/15/2008  ONA CONVENTION IN BEND

(The following report was written by unit rep Shannon Chambers, who was a first time delegate to ONA's convention last week) Just a quick update to all of you; hope you got to enjoy some of this beautiful, sunny weekend. I spent the past three days at the state Oregon Nurses Association convention, held here in Bend at the Riverhouse. Some of the things I took away from the convention were: A renewed sense of energy about the power we possess as nurses, to make positive changes for patients and ourselves in our practice. A realization about how much work the ONA actually does for all of us throughout each year, not just at contract negotiation time! A feeling of unity among nurses from all across the state of Oregon, and especially our fellow nurses at St. Charles-Bend. Pride in ONA District 14 (we have many Bend RN's who have been active at the state level for years) Other points of interest; ONA has endorsed Hillary Clinton for President, and Jeff Merkley for US Senate (both for their past and present commitment to nursing and healthcare, in general). Please educate yourselves on the issues affecting you, your family and your career; then vote with an informed heart, mind and conscience! Nurses (11,000 ONA members) can really have an impact on electing leaders who will fight for us, and ultimately for patients.

3/27/2008  PERIOP LABOR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MARCH 25TH 2008

Because of spring break, SCMC was not able to have a full labor management meeting this month due to a lack of a quorum. However we had a mini-LMC to deal with PeriOp issues. ONA representatives in attendance included Lisa Bearup, Duke Sells, Elaine Teague-Bennett, Alison Corey, and Alison Hamway. Management was represented by Leslie Toll, Jane Hanson, Joyce Tittle, Debra Robinson, Ashley Christiansen, Karen Ellis, Karen McGuire, Carol Velasquez, Rick Martin and Mara Kerr. MDU’s letter of agreement regarding standby was modified, and will be submitted to the MDU members for ratification. The modification includes specifying where procedures may be performed, changing the hours of standby to reduce mandatory overtime when procedures run over, and specifying that the procedures performed will be the normal procedures performed by MDU during regular working hours. OR’s work instruction regarding standby is being reviewed by the UPC. The most up-to-date version was not available for discussion. We discussed the vacation approval process and procedures. East side and West side had different approval processes, and some vacations were approved under varying procedures. Some vacations were approved for employees who would not have enough ETO to cover their time off. Carol will deal with conflicts with already scheduled vacations using case by case problem solving. The major issue of re-writing performance appraisals was already resolved. Management sent out a letter on 3/24 letting staff know positive performance appraisals would NOT be revised. Sleep rooms have also been resolved; Hospitalists will have their own designated rooms and other surgeons/anesthesiologists will also not be assigned to the designated rooms for PeriOp standby teams. Jane Hanson reported on the budget challenge posed by the crisis in bonds. She will be trying to reduce the use of travelers, and to consolidate management positions. In addition their data shows that SCMC is over the budgeted average for nursing care hours per patient day. ONA discussed the importance of following the staffing matrix, and Jane said SCMC has every intention of following the staffing committee’s recommendations. Next meeting will be Tuesday April 24th from 1-4 p.m. Agenda items will include FBC standby, triage nurse positions, retiree benefits education, seasonal nurse positions, HR call-off and breaks.

2/25/2008  LMC WORKS ON LETTERS OF AGREEMENT

Labor Management committee met on Tuesday, January 22nd 2008. Topics included auxiliary funds, HR call off, missed meals/breaks, Radiology Letter of Agreement, CCU/ICU/IMCU Letter of Agreement, sleep room usage by nursing moms, pre-surgery and PACU standby only updates, and contract issues. Due to funding and accounting changes, objector’s in-lieu of dues money that (under our contract) went into the Auxiliary; that fund is now being merged into the Foundation but will still be designated as benefiting the Auxiliary. HR was up slightly over the holiday period, but most of that was due to voluntary requests from nurses who wanted additional time off over the holidays. Radiology Dept. presented some revisions to their current letter of agreement on mandatory standby. LMC suggested changes to limit language referring to invasive procedures to “invasive procedures normally performed by the Department”; after letter of agreement is revised ONA will send it out for a vote by the nurses in the Department. The MDU letter of agreement is still being discussed. A revised version of the CCU letter of agreement will be sent to ONA, and ONA will post it for a vote by IMCU and CCU nurses. No one has applied for the PACU standby only RN, so the starting time will be revised and SCMC will continue to recruit. Jane Hanson announced several changes. Karon Hack is retiring effective March 5th. Two strong candidates have been interviewed for FBC Director; she is still recruiting for ED Director. RNs and MDs are involved in the hiring committees. In addition she is recruiting for Redmond Director of Nursing (the positions she vacated). Staffing hours per patient day have been increased in NICU/PEDS, ER, and OR for 2008. McKesson Director for HealthSync is Betsy Mitchell; Sept 9th is the go live date for MeKesson. There is no plan for a ban on vacations during implementation. Optivox is stopped and the contract will not be renewed. However there will still be a standardized hand off for report required to meet JCAHO requirements. Due to budget shortfalls, CHC is not going forward with plans for child care in this fiscal year. It remains a long term goal. A room on the 5th floor has been designated for breast pumping. The sleep rooms in HCC will be an option during the day for use also. FBC has a location also. Attendees at LMC included ONA negotiating team members Alison Corey, Alison Hamway, Elaine Bennett, Judy Gage Scott, Kathy Lenhart, Lisa Bearup, Shelley Lewis Leander, and Steve Lowry; and unit reps Kathy Stumpfig, Scott Smallwood, and Anne Coleman. Management representatives included Karon Hack, Pam Cheney, Mara Kerr, Penny Wingert, Karen McGuire, Linda Bledko, Leslie Toll, Ashley Christiansen, Mary Demaris, Nancy Simonson, Jane Hanson, and Shelley Jones. Next meeting will be February 26th 1 p.m. in Heart Center Conference room.

1/11/2008  SCMC-B-ONA POSITION ON SEIU LOCAL 49 ORGANIZING EFFORT

To all SCMC-B-ONA BU members, I'm certain by now that most if not all of you have heard about SEIU Local 49 and their efforts to organize the non nursing staff at SCMC-B Local 49 has asked for our support in their organizing efforts, and I would like to share with all of you the position that ONA and our local bargaining unit Negotiation Team has taken in this effort. ONA is a labor organization and as such, we do support the rights of workers to organize freely. This includes our fellow staff at SCMC. We support the rights of those workers to seek union representation with the labor organization of their own choosing, which in this case is SEIU Local 49. We have informed SEIU Local 49 as well as the non represented staff that we support their rights to organize, but that we do not support an antagonistic or adversarial relationship with management of SCMC. We have made it very clear to the organizing staff of SEIU Local 49 that we have worked very hard to build, and truly value the positive and professional relationship we have developed with the management team and we believe that it is possible to be represented by a union and maintain a good working relationship with management. We have had discussions with members of management and they too have been informed of our position. We have received acceptance of our position from the management team and assurances that the organizing efforts of SEIU Local 49 will have no negative impact on the strong relationship we have worked so hard to achieve. In closing, I strongly encourage our members to continue to work with our peers in a manner that promotes strong patient care and positive patient outcomes. If any of you have any questions concerning our position on this issue, please feel free to contact any member of the Negotiation Team or our union representative, Alison Hamway.                                           Sincerely,                                           Duke Sells, RN, SCMC-B-ONA Chairperson

1/3/2008  LABOR MANAGEMENT MEETING 12/19/07: PERIOP & CCU LETTERS

At the expedited labor management committee meeting on 12/19/07, ONA and SCMC negotiating teams reviewed agenda items that had been initiated in previous meetings. We reviewed the draft Perioperative merger letters of agreement, reached after months of negotiations and work group meetings. The PACU letter of agreement was a tentative agreement, and will be put out for ratification by PACU nurses in the Main and SurgiCenter. The OR merger went into mediation with the federal mediator, resulting in a draft letter of agreement that will be put out for ratification by OR nurses in the Main and SurgiCenter sides. ONA plans to get the vote out by December 21st if possible. The draft letter of agreements will result in major changes for SurgiCenter working conditions, but these results are an outcome of the merger into one unit. Federal mediator Jim Bailey was very useful in assisting us in reaching agreement. Carol Velasquez reported on the new Presurgery positions that have been created to expand the hours, and to provide presurgery services previously performed by the SurgiCenter PACU. The positions have been approved and will be posted for bidding as soon as position control numbers are allocated. We also reviewed the draft letter of agreement for CCU floating/CCU specialty unit. ONA recommended modifying the draft letter of agreement to state that nothing in the letter of agreement would require mandatory standby or mandatory overtime. With those changes, ONA would be willing to recommend ratification of the letter of agreement and would put it out for a vote. ONA was represented in the meeting by Duke Sells, Angie Streeter, Kathy Lenhart, Judy Gage Scott, Elaine Teague Bennett, Lisa Bearup, Alison Corey, Steve Lowery, and ONA Labor Relations Representative Alison Hamway.

12/21/2007  KENTUCKY NURSES HAVE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

Kentucky nurses may have finally settled their long strike, which began when Appalaicha Health Care unilaterally cut their wages by 10% and ignored a court order to restore the nurses wages. ONA and St. Charles bargaining unit members donated to our striking fellow Kentucky nurses in record numbers, totally over $20,000 in donations. (Thank you to all of you who helped out in this long and difficult struggle) A tentative agreement in the KY nurses strike was announced at 3:00 p.m. today. The Harlan LBU will hold an informational meeting on Friday, December 21st from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Voting on the Tentative Agreement is schedule for Saturday, December 22nd from 2:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Though no printed material is available at this time reported highlights of the Tentative Agreement include: A return to work for all RNs to take place in two waves. The first wave is to include 350 RNs back to work by January 31, 2008 to the same hospital, same unit and if available, same shift. The remainder of the nurses are to be in the second wave returning to work no later than March 31, 2008. Return to work will be processed by union and Management utilizing seniority and competency. If Clinical Nurse Managers are demoted, they will have zero seniority. Scabs, replacements and ancillary staff will retain their positions. Separate from the Tentative Agreement, ARH has stated that the 36/40 monies will be availabe to each RN on Monday, December 24th.

12/21/2007  ONA ENDS AFFILIATION WITH THE UNITED AMERICAN NURSES

IMPORTANT MEMBER NOTICE ONA Ends Affiliation with the United American Nurses It is with regret that we are noticing you of the unanimous recommendation by the Cabinet on Economic and General Welfare, and subsequent acceptance by the ONA Board of Directors, to no longer be an affiliate of the United American Nurses (UAN). The UAN is an associate organizational member of the American Nurses Association. These decisions were made on December 14, 2007 and are effective as of that date. ONA remains a member of the American Nurses Association and intends to maintain our state and national relationship with the AFL-CIO. The official letter notifying the UAN of our decision was sent by mail on December 20 and then faxed to the UAN offices on December 21. In the spirit of full disclosure, we will send all ONA members a copy of that official notification by mail early in the New Year. Please feel free to direct any and all ONA members to this website for future updates. Both of us, as well as Susan King, Executive Director and Paul Goldberg Assistant Executive Director for Labor Relations are available to answer questions you may have about this action. Our contact email addresses are listed at the end of this announcement. You may be wondering about how this decision will impact the portion of your dues that are paid to our national organizations. The answer, at the moment based on current legal advice, is that there will be no change in your dues nor will there be any impact on the services ONA provides to you. More information related to dues, and to the Mobilization Fund or other future impacts of this decision, will be brought to your attention in the coming weeks and months. What is important to know now is that you, as a member of ONA, will experience no change to your dues or to the services you receive through your ONA membership. The decision to stop our membership in the UAN was reached after an enormous amount of discussion and communication among our elected leaders and ONA bargaining unit members. You may recall that ONA held a special House of Delegates on November 17 in Eugene where ONA members voted, by an overwhelming 99.9% majority, to remove all references to the UAN from our bylaws. That same special House of Delegates was advised that action by the Cabinet or the Board of Directors may be necessary should we believe the crisis at the UAN warranted action. You recently received a detailed timeline that explored actions by UAN leadership that posed a significant risk to ONA and your services. It was as a direct result of these threats that the Cabinet and Board decided to act to protect ONA, our members and the crucial services we offer, by ending our membership in the UAN. This was not an easy decision, and ONA remains committed to the value of a national voice for nurses and the crucial role played by unity among nursing associations. We will continue to work, alongside any other state nursing association that values the principles of democracy and nurse unity, to promote the profession of nursing. Julie Shuff, Chair, Cabinet on Economic and General Welfare Bruce Humphreys, President, Board of Directors Oregon Nurses Association For more information, email: Susan King, Executive Director, King@oregonrn.org Paul Goldberg, Director of Labor Relations, Goldberg@oregonrn.org Press Inquiries: Scott Palmer, Communication Specialist, Palmer@oregonrn.org

11/13/2007  LABOR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE

Labor Management committee met on October 23, 2007. Next meeting will be Tuesday November 27th, 1-4 p.m. in the Heart Center conference room. Agenda will include updates on HR call-off, PeriOp merger, and other labor management issues. HR/Meals/Breaks HR call-off data continues in a very positive trend. Historically, prior to the massive HR two years ago, HR had averaged approximately 1600 hours a month. (In December 2005, it approached 6,000 hours). For 2007 year to date, call-off has been: Jan 1431, Feb 768.5, Mar 1399, Apr 939, May 1746, June 1594, Jul 1467.5, Aug 1331, and Sept 1572. We also reviewed missed meal data. Missed break data information data was limited due to limited reporting by nurses. PeriOp We then reviewed draft letters of agreement for PreSurgery and PACU operations after the PeriOp merger. The work groups made significant progress. The PreSurgery LOA was later revised, and is being sent out to the affected nurses for a vote. The PACU LOA was referred to a small group for further negotiations. Those further negotiations have been very productive, and a draft revised letter of agreement should be available shortly. The OR work group is continuing to meet. (After LMC, it was agreed to request federal mediator Jim Bailey step in and assist the OR group) Sageview/PES ONA then raised issues regarding concerns of safety and security in Sageview and PES, and Steve Lowry read a personal letter regarding those issues. Concerns were prompted by a recent event that has been thoroughly analyzed in an attempt to improve responses to violent out of control patients. ONA is requesting secure and safe area for nurses to consult over safety plans. Robin Henderson and Kristin Powers, managers for the unit, discussed the plans for safety improvements, including a separate room (proposed by SCMC but subject to City permits), and an electronic door (already approved). The UPC has been active in plans to improve security, focusing on doors and windows, seclusion and restraints as a last resort, and improving verbal de-escalation techniques. SCMC is reviewing safety for the entire hospital. Both sides agreed that nursing needs a strong voice in planning for improved safety. Taped Reports Management then presented the OptiVox update. They have adopted SHARQ at the request of the work group and unit reps. SHARQ has been revised and is being used in all units. After the trial period, the unit reps will review how SHARQ has been working. Overall feedback as of now is positive. In January SMCM will revisit the issue of electronic recording of reports, separate from whether that recording method is OptiVox or another format. The issue they will discuss is whether recording reports serves a useful function for nursing, patients, and the Hospital. Staff nurses will be involved in any decision on changing the reporting system; no decision has been made at this time. Mother/Child Mara Kerr then presented FBC schedule updates. She is trying to equalize the staffing mix. Day shift has too many FTEs, and there is an inappropriate skill mix. Triage is not available 24/7. She presented the desirable skill mix and core staff (1 charge, 1-2 post-partum RNs, 1 CAN, 1-2 OR techs, 4-5 trained labor nurses, 1 lactation RN). They are engaged in a trial service of changing the hours of operation for the lactation specialists. In addition Mara announced her plan to eliminate the position of triage nurses. Nurse Executive Search Jane Hanson updated us on the search for a new CNO and Director of Emergency Dept. Both searches are going national, and several good candidates have emerged. There are 8 candidates for CNO, 5 are being advanced. Screening interviews will be in mid-November with Jim Diegel and Tim Bricker. 2-4 candidates will be advanced for interviews with Directors, VPs, and peers. There are 2 candidates for the ED director, and interviews will be scheduled for id December. We will be invited to participate in final interviews, and they plan an open forum for nurses. In addition they are posting the Director of Mother Child.

11/13/2007  CHC/ONA GREEN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

11-12-2007 4-5pm Vicki, Kathy, Mark, and John • Recruit new Green Council members ONA RN's Purchasing Department Post invitation on ONA and CHC websites • Recycling Renewed push on recycling Review areas for needs and locations Stickers on all sides of gray bins Revisited Recycling Coordinators issue Discussed posting educational material Pharmacy in particular needs a recycling review • Discussed a possible Green Council Environment Week Stickers Education • Still working on CBL/Video for Recycling • Cindy in OR continues with the Product Capturing Program in OR for donation to V.I.M..(this could be expanded to MDU, Rad, Cath Lab, CCU) areas that generate procedural products. • Discussion on alternative energy, solar in particular Discussion on SCMC campus landscape and H2O usage

10/5/2007  FALL FORUM OPEN HOUSE

The annual Fall Forum Open House is scheduled for October 22, 2007 from 0800-1630 in Classroom E. There will be free food during meal hours and you can sign for and pick up your new contract. We are planning on having tables set up for each committee group to answer your questions and help you get set up on our website. This is a drop in event so please plan on attending. Hope to see everyone there. Duke Sells, SCMC-B ONA Chairperson

8/29/2007  NEW CHAIRPERSON

Effective September 1, 2007 Duke Sells will become the ONA bargaining chairperson for SCMC-B Shelley Lewis-Leander will become the Vice Chairperson effective on the same date. This change is taking place at Shelleys' request to give her more time to spend with her family. Thank you Shelley for all of your hard work in getting us to where we are.

8/15/2007  SCMC ENVIRONMENTAL SLIDESHOW

John Nangle, Unit Rep Chair, wants to invite all members to the following presentation at SCMC: Cascade Healthcare Community/St Charles ONA Nursing Green Council invite YOU to attend a mind opening educational slideshow presentation about global climate change. Inconvenient Truths and Unforeseen Opportunities: finding Solutions to Global Warming in Oregon Cylvia Hayes is one of 1,000 people worldwide who was chosen by former Vice President Al Gore to be trained to deliver the slideshow that led to the film An Inconvenient Truth. Global warming / climate change is already having serious environmental and economic impacts including increasingly severe hurricanes, tornadoes and floods, melting glaciers, diminished snowpacks, escalating insurance costs, costly wildfires, upheaval in fisheries and food production and shifting human disease patterns. Hayes will present the science behind and current day impacts of global climate change. She will focus on the unique challenges, and opportunities, this presents for Oregon. Finally, Hayes will offer a pragmatic roadmap for how we can effectively address this crucial issue. Three opportunities to participate: St. Charles Medical Center - Bend Friday, August 24, 12:30 pm – 2 pm, CHL Conference Rooms C & D. Friday, September 21, 12:30 pm – 2 pm, CHL Conference Rooms C & D. (Plan on shopping the Farmers Market after the presentation!) St. Charles Medical Center - Redmond Wednesday, September 12, 12:30 pm - 2 pm, Sage Conference Room

8/6/2007  CONTRACT SIGNED AT LABOR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 7/31/07

At our Labor Management Committee on 7/31/07, we began by signing the contract. SCMC provided cake and balloons, and Jim Diegel gave a positive message of support for nurses and for the improved labor management relationship. The meeting was attended by Shelley Lewis Leander, Duke Sells, Angie Streeter, Kathy Lenhart, Elaine Teague Bennett, Alison Corey, Judy Gage Scott, Lisa Bearup, and Alison Hamway ONA Labor Relations Representative. The Hospital was represented by Leslie Toll, Carol Velasquez, Karen McGuire, Karen Ellis, and Rick Martin. The new wage rates will show up on the August 16th paychecks. Retro pay checks will be issued in the last week in August. Karen Ellis presented HR call off data, and data on missed meals and breaks. The HR call off data maintained a positive trend. Missed meals are still a problem in some units. Missed breaks are not being reported. Nurses need to report missed breaks so SCMC can get the problem corrected. Rest breaks are required by both our contract and the Bureau of Labor and Industries. As you know, nurses at Rogue Valley Memorial received a substantial settlement for missed meals and breaks – but they had been meticulously reporting missed breaks for more than a year. Leslie Toll presented a draft letter of agreement for covering after hours radiology procedures. We agreed that the letter needed to be modified to remove any reference to standby or callback, because the nurses are being compensated at premium plus, not standby rates. Carol Velasquez questioned the payment of premium plus for the full 4 hours if the procedure takes less time. Shelley Jones stated that was the compensation that had been agreed to with the nurses in the unit. The issue will be referred for review by a subcommittee. ONA raised concerns about the letter of agreement on MDU standby coverage. The SCMC MDU nurses on standby do not want to be called in for standby for Heart Center Procedures. Joyce Tittle pointed out that nurses perform some of those duties during normal operating hours. Mary Hammond responded that the stress tests are now performed only rarely by SCMC nurses, and only for patients that the Heart Center cannot handle (such as patients needing a heart stress test who are immobile). Approximately one stress test is performed per month by SCMC; so each nurse may not perform the procedure at all during the course of a year. Nurses are concerned about patient safety after hours, when they do not perform the procedures on a regular basis. In addition ONA’s opinion was that SCMC RNs should not be on standby for another independent facility whose own nursing staff is not taking standby. The Hospital will follow up with the Heart Center, and will respond after they have more information. We agreed that a subcommittee would draft a letter of agreement for PACU standby only RN. Joyce Tittle, Carol Velasquez, Leslie Toll, Lisa Bearup, Judy Gage Scott and Alison Hamway will serve on the subcommittee. Ron Neet, Teresa Walker and Darin Durham discussed the proposals for improving security in the ER. A proposal for redesigning the lobby/reception area for better security and compliance with HIPPA is going in for budgetary approval. Approximately $100,000 is available for improvements; redesigning the front entrance would cost approximately $500,000. We discussed having additional training in the algorithm for abusive patients through the UPCs in all units, not just ER. Karen also shared that windows will be bolted closed throughout the facility in the near future due to bats flying in. Leslie Toll reported that Janey Evans has been interviewing caregivers in FBC, and will be reporting back to management once her interviews are complete. ONA discussed concerns about OptiVox. We requested that SCMC deal with the PNCC on this and other nursing practice issues, to avoid problems impacting professional nursing care. Jane Hanson stated she and Karen would be attending a meeting with PNCC and would work with them on OptiVox problems. (At the PNCC meeting the next day, Jane and Karen stated they would propose suspending OptiVox while problems were worked out. John Nangle volunteered to be the liaison between the OptiVox work group and the PNCC). At our next Labor Management committee meeting, the agenda will include an update on child care. SCMC has hired Bright Horizons as a consultant to evaluate child care needs and options. The subcommittees working on letters of agreement will bring proposed LOAs. We will have updated information on HR call off and missed meals and breaks. And we will add new items as need.

7/25/2007  CONTRACT RATIFIED!

Votes for the new contract have been counted, and nurses voted for the agreement by an overwhelming majority. Thanks to all of you who supported the negotiating team, and to all of you who voted! and a big thank you to the negotiating team who put in so many hours bargaining the contract.

7/21/2007  MERCY NURSES WIN FIRST CONTRACT!

Our fellow nurses at Mercy Hospital in Roseburg finally got a first contract! As of early Friday morning (4 am) July 20th ONA has reached a tentative agreement with Mercy Medical Center. Hallelujah!! Congratulations to the Mercy nurses and all of us for our unified efforts in securing this historic first contract! We were certified as the bargaining representative in January 2006 and met for 43 full-day negotiation sessions and innumerable hours to achieve this agreement. 1/3 of our nurses picketed last Monday—with the support from many nurses and other workers from around Oregon and the Roseburg community. During our organizing and contract campaign pay increased by 27%. The new contract adopts competitive pay with Eugene and Medford hospitals, including for the first time the implementation of a pay step scale. We won many nursing industry standard pay practices such as 1 ½ pay for consecutive weekends worked and 1 ½ pay for work from a low census standby, which the nurses had never previously enjoyed. The contract includes job security provisions in the form of seniority bumping rights, a grievance/arbitration dispute resolution process, nursing practice provisions (including a dedicated voluntary workshop nurse education f und)…and a union security provision. All of us can be pleased that the lives of many nurses, and their families, patients, and practice have been permanently enhanced by our collective efforts. The Mercy negotiating team and Mercy nurses deserve the real credit for this success. Super rep Diane Hedrick deserves special recognition for being the chief spokesperson during this arduous process. Again—CONGRATULATIONS TO US!!! by Paul Goldberg, RN Director, E&GW

6/28/2007  TENTATIVE AGREEMENT!

June 28, 2007 Dear ONA member, ONA and SCMC have reached a tentative agreement for a new three year contract. The bargaining unit is unanimously recommending a “yes” vote in favor of ratification. We will hold informational meetings about the details of the new contract on July 9th, in the Heart Center Conference Room, 8-9:30 a.m.; 1-4 p.m., and 5-8 p.m. Unit reps will meet at 7:30 a.m. on the same day, and will receive a draft of the exact language for their units. (The draft will also be posted on the web site by July 9th). Click to View Propsed Draft Click to View The Proposed Wage Scale Voting will begin on July 10th. To vote on line: Between July 10th and July 24th (until 5 p.m.) you will be able to vote by logging in on the web site www.stcharlesnursing.org; if you need help registering on the web site, assistance will be available at the meetings on July 9th. Members who do not have computer access or are not registered on the web site will receive a secret ballot to vote by mail. To vote by mail: Call ONA at 1-800-634-3552 to request a ballot mailed to your home. For all: Voting will conclude on July 24th and ballots will be tallied at 5:00 p.m. that same day. A summary of the tentative agreement is as follows: * Wage increases will total 15% over 3 years, distributed as follows: 3% effective 7/1/07; 2% effective 1/1/08; 3% effective 7/1/08; 2% effective 1/1/09; 5% effective 7/1/09. * An additional step increase at 25 years service will be added at 2% above the prior step effective 7/1/08 * Increase weekend differential to $1.80 per hour * No changes in health insurance * Keep premium plus * Standby rate changes to $4 effective 7/29/07, and increase to $5 effective 7/1/08 for the remainder of the contract period * Effective 7/29/07, pay for being called in to work from standby will change to time and three quarters (1.75) times the regular hourly rate for ALL nurses working mandatory standby. The 29 hour formula per pay period is gone, and the same rate will apply to all nurses working mandatory standby. * AUMs (renamed Charge Nurse) remain in the bargaining unit, and SCMC agrees not to challenge the bargaining unit status of AUMs/Charge Nurses * Incorporate letter of agreement on meals and breaks into contract (extends window for taking meal breaks for alternate shift employees, and allows one break to be combined with meal period by mutual agreement) * Increase educational funds for PNCC to $135,000 1/1/08; and to $150,000 1/1/09 and 1/1/10. Up to 10% of that amount can be rolled over to the subsequent year (if not spent). Slightly less than $15,000 will be added to the education amount each year from unexpended funds from the prior contract. * Labor management committee added to contract, and ONA negotiating team members will be compensated a straight time hourly wage for participation in monthly meetings. * Labor management committee will receive HR/call-off data monthly to review trends, providing an opportunity to deal early on with problems of excessive call off * Nurses with 20 years service who are eligible for retirement, who accept relief status and meet relief availability requirements will receive 20% differential. Joint committee will look at insurance options available for retiring RNs * Labor management committee will review SCMC plans for child care options at August meeting * Letter of agreement to post stand-by only RN (with benefits) to cover standby in PACU We spent a lot of time in negotiations discussing the PeriOp merger issues. Management is still proceeding with the merger of SurgiCenter units into the main OR/PACU. However nursing management has realized the need for more involvement and participation from the nurses in the affected units. SCMC has stated they still intend to keep more operating rooms open later, and they still want to have merged standby expectations for both OR s and both PACUs (which will operate as one PeriOp services). Meetings will take place over the next couple of months between nursing managers and nurses in the all the PeriOp units, to determine what staffing is needed, what schedules need covering, what standby is necessary, and what is the best method of covering the needs of the combined PeriOp services. The recommendations for PeriOp will be presented to the joint Labor Management Committee at our October meeting. The hope is that there will be a satisfactory resolution with much more involvement from staff nurses in the units affected by the merger. Cross-training and orientation will continue. In conclusion, the package over all is extremely positive and the bargaining team recommends ratification. SCMC has made some real improvements in labor relations, and we saw that reflected in our negotiations this year. The negotiating committee overall felt the bargaining process went positively, the management team listened to nursing concerns and issues, and we had a joint effort to solve problems. And – a BIG thank you to all of you members who signed cards of support and appreciation, it really helped the negotiating team through long hard bargaining session! Cordially, ONA Negotiating Team Shelley Lewis Leander (Chairperson), Duke Sells (Vice Chair), Kathy Lenhart (Treasurer), Angie Streeter (Secretary), Lisa Bearup, Alison Corey, Judy Gage Scott, Elaine Teague Bennett, Steve Lowry (Membership Chair) and Alison Hamway, ONA Labor Relations Representative.

6/22/2007  NEGOTIATIONS INCH FORWARD

At our negotiations on 6/20/07, ONA presented an economic package to the management team. We proposed: •      3 year contract, 6% July 1 2007, 5.5% July 1, 2008 and 5.5% July 1, 2r 009 •      Additional step at 24 years (2% above prior step) •      Paid time for negotiating team members to attend Labor Management committee meetings •      Standby rate of $5 hour/$6 holidays; double time for all units working mandatory standby. •      Weekend Shift differential $2/hour •      Nurse able to receive both one advanced education differential plus one certification differential (only where both are required by Hospital) •      Guarantee of 75% of scheduled hours (e.g. low census HR could not exceed 25%) •      Increase dental cap to $2,000 1/1/08 and to $2,500 1/1/09 •      Modified retiree nurse health insurance proposal to: Nurses who have been employed at least 15 years by SCMC and retire from SCMC can remain on group insurance at their same coverage level and with the same contribution from the Hospital provided he/she fulfills relief nurse requirements. •      Increase PNCC funds to $180,000 1/1/07; $215,000 1/1/08; and $235,000 1/1/10 •      Okay to limit rollover of unexpended PNCC funds to 10% of the original amount for future contributions PROVIDED rollover funds from prior contract not affected •      PNCC hours 56 hours total per month with Administrative Assistant assuming some duties •      Trial standby only RN in PACU for M-F night standby (letter of agreement for 6 month trial of new position) ONA was represented by Shelley Lewis Leander, Angie Streeter, Kathy Lenhart, Lisa Bearup, Alison Corey, Judy Gage Scott, Elaine Teague Bennett, Duke Sells and Alison Hamway ONA Labor Relations Representative. SCMC was represented by Leslie Toll, Carol Velasquez, Linda Bletko, Karen McGuire, Jane Hanson, Rick Martin, and Steve Steng. SCMC Mediator Janey Evans facilitated the meeting. SCMC countered our proposal with: * 3 year contract 3.5% July 1, 2007; 3% July 1, 2008; and 3% July 1, 2009 * Weekend shift differential $1.80 per hour        * July 1, 2009 add additional step at 25 years at 2% above prior step * Pay cost of Labor Management Committee attendance for ONA committee members (2 hours paid by Hospital) * Standby rate $4 hour/4.25 weekends; keep current double time formula for all units EXCEPT PeriOp. Management feels these rates are very competitive * Increase PNCC funds to $135,000, $135,000 and $150,000 * Rollover of funds limited to unexpended 10% of original grant amount for future contributions; limit prior rollover unexpended funds to prior contract (approx $44,572) to be expended in education programs benefiting all RNs, mutually developed by Education Director & PNCC * Limit PNCC hours to no more than 24 hour per month (reduction from current 40 hours per month); administrative assistant will assume many duties SCMC rejected health insurance benefit improvements; their cost of health insurance is already too high. They also rejected adding participants to the health plan (such as retirees) due to concern that their participation would increase the cost of health insurance. We ended the negotiations with further discussion of the PeriOp merger. The issues involving the impact on nurse working conditions when merging the two units into one are still being discussed and negotiated. We will have back to back negotiation next week beginning Tuesday June 26th 9 a.m. in conference room adjacent to Human Resources; we resume negotiations on Wednesday June 27th 9 a.m. in the Heart Conference Room. Thursday is available for further marathon negotiations if necessary.

6/8/2007  MANAGEMENT PRESENTS ECONOMIC, PERIOP MERGER PROPOSALS

On Thursday June 6th 2006 ONA received the total economic package from the management bargaining team. In addition SCMC presented their proposal for the PeriOperative merger. SCMC management team proposed: •      3 year contract, with a wage increase of 3% per year. •      No change to the health insurance plan or benefits. SCMC rejected ONA’s proposal to improve vision and dental benefits, but they also did not propose any reduction in coverage in the current plan. SCMC does however plan to create a committee of caregivers and management to review the increasing costs of insurance coverage and to discuss options for controlling the rate of increase. •      SCMC offered slight increase in the standby pay (to $4 per hour regular standby and $4.25 per hour holiday standby); but said “no” to ONA’s proposal for double time for all mandatory standby shifts. •      Increase weekend differential to $1.75 per hour •      Increase PNCC funds to $125,000 first year; $135,000 second year; and $150,000 third year, contingent on PNCC agreeing to review expenditures quarterly with the education coordinator. Limit rollover of PNCC funds to 10% per year. •      Reduce hours available to the PNCC to 24 hours per month for the committee, however SCMC would assign administrative assistant to process education fund payments •      SCMC rejected ONA proposals for retiree health benefits, additional ETO accrual, cash out of 50% EIB upon retirement, guarantee of 75% of scheduled hours, additional step increase, and additional 1% retirement match In negotiations, ONA was represented by Shelley Lewis Leander, Duke Sells, Kathy Lenhart, Steve Lowery, Elaine Teague Bennett, Judy Gage Scott, Lisa Bearup, and Alison Hamway (ONA Labor Relations Representative). Management was represented by Leslie Toll, Rick Martin, Deb Gaspar, Carol Velasquez, Jane Hanson, and Karen McGuire. Federal mediator Jim Bailey and SCMC mediator Janie Evens also facilitated the negotiations. ONA will respond to the Hospital’s proposal at our next bargaining session, June 13th 9 a.m. in the Heart conference center. ONA will also respond to the Hospital’s proposal on the PeriOp merger. Details of the Hospital’s proposal regarding the impact of merging SurgiCenter with the Main OR follow. A large part of the bargaining on June 6th was hearing management’s proposal for the PeriOp merger and the impact on nurses affected by the change. Deb Gaspar began by stating her departure to accept a position at Legacy Health Care was not related to the PeriOp reorganization or negotiations, but was purely a chance for her to advance in her profession. SCMC still plans to merge SurgiCenter into the main OR. Thirteen OR rooms will operate 0730 – 1730; eight rooms will operate 0730-1930; four rooms 1730 – 2130; and three rooms 0730 – 2330. Some new shift start times will be necessary; management has not yet decided how those shifts will be posted or assigned. After self evaluation of skill assessments, nurses will be cross oriented to SurgiCenter and Main OR. Under the management proposal standby will be mandatory with the option to give it away to appropriate like skill. Standby will be assigned and posted 3 months in advance. Main OR nurses would work the A standby Team; SurgiCenter nurses would work a new standby backup team B including eye coverage; and the Heart team would be on standby for major traumas and thoracic and cardio emergencies. Main OR Standby Team A would be on standby as currently scheduled. The new B team (SurgiCenter) would be on standby from 1500 – 2330 Monday Friday; 0700 – 1530 Saturday and Sunday and 1500-2330 Saturday and Sunday. Team B would work 13 weekends of standby per year AND 4 week days standby per month (Team A is on standby 11 weekends and 4 weekdays). In addition both teams would be on standby one holiday per year and one holiday weekend per year under the SCMC proposal. PreSurgery under SCMC’s proposal would change shift times to cover the1100 -2130 shift. All staff would have to orient to pre-op holding. For PACU, supervisor Joyce Tittle explained that ASPAN standards have changed, to require 2 RNs in the same room where the patient is receiving care. This means recovery can no longer occur in the CCU. PACU will need to staff until to midnight, and 2 PACU nurses will need to be on call. SCMC management proposes 12 scheduled weekends doing 12 hours shifts; plus 1 to 2 holiday shifts. Standby will be approximately 12 hours per month per nurse. Joyce plans to add SurgiCenter PACU into the standby roster along with the Main PACU nurses; she does not believe additional orientation is required. ONA will respond to the management proposals next week.

5/31/2007  LABOR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE 5/29/07

Labor management committee, consisting of the two negotiating teams, met on May 29th. ONA was represented by Shelley Lewis Leander, Duke Sells, Angie Streeter, Kathy Lenhart, Steve Lowery, Elaine Teague Bennett, Judy Gage Scott, Lisa Bearup, and Alison Hamway (ONA Labor Relations Representative). Management was represented by Leslie Toll, Nancy Moore, Deb Gaspar, Carol Velasquez, Linda Bletcoe, Karen Ellis and Karen McGuirre. Carol Velasquez shared data on HR call off. For the last year, HR has been reduced to between 1,000 and 2,000 hours total HR; this is a substantial reduction from the highs of a year and a half ago when call off hours averaged 4,000 to 6,000 hours. In addition, Carol shared data on missed meal breaks. Most units have improved meal coverage over the last year. A few units are still having problems granting meals. She shared the new data on missed breaks, which show very few missed breaks are being reported. ONA negotiating team members explained that very few nurses are aware how to report missed breaks. Carol is aware that the missed breaks are not being reported on her new form, and that a better reporting system will be needed to capture the data and correct the problem, or more education to ensure that missed breaks are reported on the existing form. Note to nurses: it is important to report missed meals and breaks to SCMC. You should be compensated for missed meals, and rest breaks are required by law. Nancy Moore and Carol Velasquez presented information on the Med/Surg Bed design project, which is designed for optimal patient placement. The goal is to group similar services, and solve some of the problems of MedSurg overflowing to other units. Five additional Rehab beds are needed so that patients can transfer out when ready for rehab. The Hospital will have 14 additional beds available in the next year. There are three options that are being considered; each plan has advantages and drawbacks. The plans have been discussed with the AUMs, and will be presented to the physicians next week. A decision is expected by the end of June. LMC recommended having an informational forum for caregivers about the proposed change after the option has been selected. ONA nurses discussed the problem of mandatory overtime in the PACU and SurgiCenter. Lisa Bearup pointed out that the schedule for next month included 16 of 23 shifts that would result in overtime if there are any patients. Joyce Tittle has discussed some potential solutions for PACU with Lisa. SurgiCenter still has problems with mandatory overtime for the last scheduled shifts; they have no one to relieve them. Deb Gaspar stated later surgeries should be done in the main OR if they are expected to go late. She further suggested the management proposal to merge the two units is designed to even out the work flow. Susan Carter reported she has posted additional positions (one in the main, two in SurgiCenter) which should help alleviate the workload. Shelly Jones from Radiology discussed the after hours coverage for emergency MRIs, which requires a Radiology nurse to be with patients receiving an MRI at CORA. Leslie Toll will draft a letter of agreement that will cover this temporary situation, which will provide extra shift incentive pay to those Radiology nurses who agree to come in. Darin Durham and Shelley Lewis Leander discussed the safety concerns of ED nurses. Darin has proposed a redesign of the ED to provide better building security but has not gotten funding to implement the improvements. Shelley and Duke Sells both suggested increasing the security staff. Currently there is only one guard on at nights, and in addition to covering ED, the guard also makes rounds that take him out of the ED. Lynda Enos from ONA offered to provide information about what other solutions are being tried by other hospitals. Nancy Moore said budget requests are being prepared and considered, she will help Darren get the ED issues addressed. Opti-Vox orientation was discussed. Nurses were concerned about some less than stellar training/no opportunity to practice/lack of availability of phones. Nursing management stated Opti-Vox was intended to make reporting standardized and more flexible. As a backup, nurses can report off to each other in person if there is a glitch in the Opti-Vox system. The system has been implemented on 3 units so far, in part to make sure any problems are resolved before Opti-Vox is implemented Hospital wide. Derrick Gillespie and Karen McGuirre discussed the Pixys system. Some caregivers have problems with fingerprints not going through; in most cases this can be resolved by doing the fingerprint data all over again and using a different finger. Technical support for night shift nurses has been a problem. Training for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), who were supposed to be the experts on each unit, was not thorough enough for those SMEs to provide support to the unit. One AUM had a problem when a drawer stuck; AUMs should be coded to fix such problems. Derrick & Karin will work with individual units to get problems fixed and get the system working. Most nurses reported that once the system was in place Pixys functions well and is faster. Next labor management committee meeting will be on Tuesday June 26th, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Heart Center Conference room. Agenda items will include Ron Neet discussing safety and security, EMS demonstration/concerns, update on McKesson, and optimum patient placement.

5/24/2007  BARGAINING UPDATE MAY 23RD – ECONOMIC BACKGROUND

In our negotiations May 23rd, 2007 the Hospital presented background material in preparation for their economic proposal. ONA will receive their full economic proposal on June 6th. Also on the agenda for June 6th is continuation of PeriOp merger impact bargaining. (The Hospital is proceeding with plans to merge SurgiCenter and Main ORs into one OR even though PeriOp Manager Deb Gaspar is leaving to accept a position at another Hospital.) In negotiations, ONA was represented by Shelley Lewis Leander, Duke Sells, Angie Streeter, Kathy Lenhart, Alison Corey, Elaine Teague Bennett, Judy Gage Scott, Lisa Bearup, and Alison Hamway (ONA Labor Relations Representative). Management was represented by Leslie Toll, Rick Martin, Deb Gaspar, Carol Velasquez, Jane Hanson, and Karen McGuire. SCMC mediator Janie Evens also facilitated the negotiations. The Hospital began with a presentation from Tom Safely regarding the long range financial picture for CHC. The Hospital is projecting steady growth, but a lower profit margin over the next 5 years. The largest portion of the hospital’s operating cost is wages and benefits. Tom has factored in the impact of several different scenarios, such as a drop in Medicare reimbursements, or extra increases in salaries, and how that would impact the bottom line. Gary Altman from The Partners Group, which is the group that manages the insurance benefits, presented information regarding the projected growth in the cost of the CHC’s current health insurance plan. He offered comparison of CHC’s plan to other insurance plans offered to their other clients in support of CHC’s contention that their benefits are generous. CHC plans to try and control the growth in the cost in their health insurance, while still offering a very competitive plan. Details of their proposal will be provided at our June 6th negotiations, and ONA will update you on their proposals on our web site. If (as we expect) CHC proposes new concepts for controlling health insurance costs, we will be doing a VERY FAST survey to all our members to get your input. Leslie Toll then responded to several ONA proposals. SCMC said “no” to our proposal to allow relief nurses to participate in the health insurance plan, and “no” to our proposal for retiree health benefits. On both these issues, the Hospital’s concern was that the additional participation would drive up the cost of health plan even higher, because only those employees rejected by other insurers would participate. Gary pointed out that Oregonians who are rejected for insurance coverage are eligible to participate in a state plan for the high risk pool, which is cheaper than the SCMC plan (but with a lower benefit level). SCMC rejected our proposal for increased dental maximum and adding Lasik eye surgery coverage. They also rejected our proposal for an increase in their retirement contribution, stating that their plan is equal to or better than their competitors. For most of these issues, ONA responded by saying we would respond as a part of our total economic coverage. We did modify our proposal on Lasik eye surgery to instead propose an improvement in the vision benefit. Negotiations resume on June 6th, 9 a.m. in Room E; first item on the agenda will be PeriOp, followed by the economic proposal from the Hospital. We will have LOTS of information/discussion after negotiations on June 6th, so expect lots of news on the PeriOp merger AND the SCMC wage and insurance proposal.. Next week the Labor Management Committee will meet from 1-4 in the Heart Conference Room on May 29th. The proposed agenda will include concerns about PIXYS issues and Optivox training; mandatory overtime in PACU, SurgiCenter and main OR; impact of proposed change of beds assigned to units; updates on missed meals and breaks; HR call off data; Radiology proposed letter of agreement for after hours MRI coverage; and ER security and safety concerns.

5/18/2007  NEGOTIATIONS 5/16/07: FOCUS ON PNCC

In our negotiations on May 16, 2007, the main topic of discussion was the PNCC. In addition, we initialed a tentative agreement on charge nurses (AUMs) remaining in the bargaining unit. In negotiations, ONA was represented by Shelley Lewis Leander, Duke Sells, Angie Streeter, Kathy Lenhart, Alison Corey, Elaine Teague Bennett, Judy Gage Scott, Lisa Bearup, and Alison Hamway (ONA Labor Relations Representative). Management was represented by Leslie Toll, Rick Martin, Deb Gaspar, Carol Velasquez, Jane Hanson, Karen McGuire, and Linda Bledko. SCMC mediator Janie Evens also facilitated the negotiations. Vikki Hickmann, Deb Rief, and Kathy Phillips from the PNCC attended the negotiations, jointly developing a power point documentation of the rationale for their proposed changes. ONA proposed substantially increasing the amount of educational funds available through the PNCC. Last year, they ran out of funds for the first time. The amount of funds available has not been increased for since 1998; but the number of nurses eligible to use the funds has increased from 360 to 642, an increase of 78%. The Hospital requested information as to how many nurses utilize the funds, and what kinds of trainings are provided. In addition, PNCC requested changes in language on the composition of their committee, an increase in hours for accomplishing the committee’s work, and dedicated space and a computer for accomplishing their work. Lynda Coats, Co-Chair of the Staffing Committee, joined negotiations for the discussion of the role of the staffing committee related to the PNCC. The two committees have been communicating regularly. ONA and SCMC agreed that to modify the language regarding staffing, so that PNCC will refer issues and data regarding patterns of staffing to the Staffing Committee. We had extensive discussion over concerns about the staffing incident report forms versus the ONA staffing request documentation form. Both sides agreed that the sub-committee of PNCC and nursing management should continue to work toward a mutually acceptable form. The Hospital will respond to PNCC’s request for additional funds and time when they present their entire economic package. We initialed tentative agreements on charge nurses, changing the title of AUM to charge nurse throughout the document, and agreeing to the Hospital’s statement that they would not seek to remove the charge nurses from the bargaining unit. We had considerable discussion about using ETO vs. leave without pay on holidays when the nurse works fewer hours due to the holiday, but the unit is not closed. We will revisit this discussion next weeks. Negotiations resume on 5/23 at 9:00 a.m. Heart Center Conference room. Planned agenda items include presentations from the Hospital regarding overall financial picture, a presentation from their benefits consultant, further discussion of ETO/holiday issue, and SCMC’s proposal for more flexibility on low census call off.

5/11/2007  PROGRESS MADE AT NEGOTIATIONS 5/9/07

At our bargaining session held on May 9th 2007, we made progress on several language issues. The successful issues included relief nurse requirements, specialty coordinator, and AUMs. In addition we got updated information about potential childcare plans. Unlike last session, where we had a lot of discussion and information sharing – but not much progress in actually reaching agreement on the PeriOperative merger issues -- at our 5th bargaining session we agreed on several issues in relatively short order. In negotiations, ONA was represented by Shelley Lewis Leander, Duke Sells, Angie Streeter, Kathy Lenhart, Alison Corey, Elaine Teague Bennett, Judy Gage Scott, Lisa Bearup, and Alison Hamway (ONA Labor Relations Representative). Management was represented by Leslie Toll, Rick Martin, Deb Gaspar, Carol Velasquez, Jane Hanson, Karen McGuire, and Linda Bledko. In addition SCMC paid for mediator Burton White; SCMC mediator Janie Evans also facilitated the negotiations. ONA’s original proposal included changing the requirements for relief nurses, so all nurses would meet the original (pre 10/04) availability requirements. Alison Hamway explained ONA’s concern that the current language for post 10/04 relief nurses discourages those nurses from signing up for more than one unit, because they are then required to meet the availability in both units, thus doubling their weekend and holiday availability requirements. After much discussion, we tentatively agreed to add language that will allow relief nurses who wish to work more than one unit to either meet the requirements in each unit they individually sign up for; or to move to the patient care support unit, work where qualified, and meet the requirements only the general patient care support. Nothing will prevent relief nurses from picking up additional shifts in other units when needed by the Hospital. At 10:30, we had a presentation from Mark Peterson on child care. ONA had proposed adding child care close to the work site, to be offered at cost to the employees. Peterson explained that SCMC is very interested in child care as a potential incentive that will help retain and recruit staff. They are currently investigating all options, and will be making a report to upper management by 7/31/07. At that point, the Hospital will begin assessing the benefits of each option, and the costs to provide such option. The two negotiating teams agreed that the issue of child care will be discussed in the Labor Management Committee meeting in August 07, after the Hospital has completed its initial assessment of options. We then moved to the issue Specialty Coordinator. ONA raised this issue for discussion, because although the contract lists only a specialty coordinator in OR, we are aware that there are numerous other units employing specialty coordinators. In at least one unit (SageView) ONA believed aware that the specialty coordinator was performing the duties of AUM or Charge Nurse. Leslie Toll presented a list of all employees titled specialty coordinator. In three units, the specialty coordinator was working as an AUM and was being paid as an AUM. In those units, the titles will be corrected. In SageView, the Hospital agreed that the specialty coordinator was most likely performing AUM duties, and that the pay and duties needed to be aligned. They will follow up by completing an evaluation of the nurse’s duties and pay, and take the appropriate action. In all other units, the specialty coordinator was coordinating surgeries and procedures as originally described by the specialty coordinator classification. We tentatively agreed to revise the specialty coordinator language in 3.5, to reflect the option to have specialty coordinators in more units than OR, and to reflect the duties that are expected of a specialty coordinator (coordinate surgeries or other procedures for a department; offer technical expertise, or serve as a clinical resource for other nurses). Finally we discussed the AUM issue. ONA proposed language recommended by our attorney, which would guarantee AUMs remain in the bargaining unit. Leslie Toll countered that SCMC would be willing to sign a letter of agreement, to be included at the back of the contract booklet, which would state the Hospital had no intention of removing AUMs from the bargaining unit. The Hospital proposed changing the AUM job title to Charge Nurse, and ONA agreed to the title change. In addition the Hospital agreed to ONA’s revised language relocating AUMs (now Charge Nurse) in the recognition clause. We will need to review the language of the proposed letter, but we are very close to agreement on this issue. We began discussion of option of ETO or unpaid day for nurses who do not work on a regularly scheduled day due to holiday rescheduling. ONA has proposed that use of ETO on holidays be at the nurse’s option. We will continue on this issue next time. On our agenda next week (5/16/07 at 9 a.m. in the Boardroom) we will be tackling the issues of PNCC, which is ONA’s nursing practice committee. ONA has proposed substantially increasing the funding to nursing educational programs administered by PNCC, increasing PNCC resources, and other changes. The Hospital is interested in reviewing the role of the PNCC in staffing, now that the Hospital has a staffing committee.

5/3/2007  BARGAINING REPORT FROM 5/2/07

First a big thank you to all the nurses that put so much time and energy into discussions around the PeriOp restructure and its impact on nurse working conditions. Thank you to the members that attended meetings and provided input. Thank you to members that sat in on negotiations, participated in discussions (and waited through long caucuses). And a special thank you to the unit reps and negotiating team members from PeriOp, including Main OR, Main PACU, SurgiCenter, SurgiCenter PACU, and MDU. We met with management beginning at 10 a.m. on May 2nd, 2007 for our fourth negotiating session. Today’s entire agenda was the issues associated with the PeriOp merger. ONA team members did a lot of work to try and reach consensus and agreement on these issues. We did not reach an agreement with management, but I am really proud of the work done by the ONA membership and negotiating team. In negotiations, ONA was represented by Shelley Lewis Leander, Duke Sells, Angie Streeter, Kathy Lenhart, Allison Corey, Elaine Teague Bennett, Judy Gage Scott, Lisa Bearup, and Alison Hamway (ONA Labor Relations Representative). Management was represented by Leslie Toll, Rick Martin, Deb Gaspar, Carol Velasquez, Jane Hanson, Karen McGuire, and Linda Bledko. In addition federal mediator Jim Bailey and SCMC mediator Janie Evans RN attended as facilitators. The ONA PeriOp negotiating team members took leadership on the issue, trying to resolve the merger issues. Overall ONA had a consensus that additional cross-training should be supported and encouraged, and that newly hired nurses should be added into the standby pool. We are not opposed to management’s vision of one cost center, and one united PeriOp Department that meets the surgical needs of the community. Elaine Teague Bennett presented a clear and concise proposal for resolving the issues for standby and cross training within the surgical areas. She spelled out the basic skill set needed for taking standby within the unit, and the current needs and participation levels in the standby pool. Under the ONA proposal, the current standby pool from what is now the Main OR would continue to take call. New hires to PeriOp would be added to the standby pool as they are trained and needed for standby coverage. Current SurgiCenter nurses who do not take mandatory call could sign up voluntarily for call, but would not be mandated to take call unless they are part of a specialty team (such as the current eye team). For this merger and this concept to work, standby compensation needs to be an attractive incentive to nurses. Lisa Bearup presented the view of Main PACU nurses. In this small unit, standby has become a burden, primarily when the core staffing levels are not met. ONA proposed a benefited standby only position that would be guaranteed 40 hours per pay period for being on standby Monday through Friday, and would receive compensation at the standby rate for any hours over 40. Current PACU nurses would continue to take standby with a maximum of 32 assigned standby hours (two 12 hour weekend shifts and one 8 hour night shift). Lisa also stated PACU nurses want to keep the current night AUM and weekend AUM work schedules, which alleviate excessive call and provide needed services. New nurses hired as PACU nurses would be added to the standby pool, but existing SurgiCenter PACU nurses would not be mandated to take standby. Judy Gage Scott presented the issues for SurgiCenter and PreSurgery Clinic. SurgiCenter nurses want adequate training in other surgical areas before being assigned those cases. For all units, cross training should also be provided for support staff such as OR techs, Central Supply, Housekeeping so the teams function smoothly. It is important for SurgiCenter nurses to have SCMC honor the commitments made to them when they were hired in terms of hours, standby, weekends/holidays etc. If necessary for providing service to surgeons, add a p.m. and/or night shift instead of consistent overtime. Right now there is a need for the Hospital to post and fill weekend PreSurgery positions and to maintain the existing later 12 hour scheduled position. Management took our proposals very seriously, and asked a lot of questions. Susan Carter offered 2006 data on types of cases performed in the Main OR & SurgiCenter. ONA later requested additional information, including 2007 data year to date, and a breakout of what kinds of cases are performed after scheduled block hours. Management took a lengthy caucus, and returned with their concepts. The SCMC concepts were staffing all 13 OR rooms as one department, one staff. Standby would be required, but nurses could self schedule within parameters. Unfilled shifts would be filled by assignment on an equitable basis. Core competencies would be established and maintained for OR, PACU, and PreSurgery (i.e., all nurses within PeriOp would be required to have certain core competencies). After a short caucus, the ONA team realized we did not have as much information as we needed to make progress on this issue. We did not have enough details about the management proposal as to what standby parameters were expected, what cross training would be required/offered on what schedule, how unfilled standby shifts would be filled, how many operating rooms would be running after hours, and what kinds of cases were standby nurses being called in for. We requested additional information. The impact of the PeriOp merger will be rescheduled in June as a part of regular negotiations, after a valiant but unsuccessful effort to resolve the issues in interest based bargaining. The agenda for our next negotiations on May 9th, 9 a.m. Room E will include relief nurse availability expectations, job duties of specialty coordinators in various units, and child care. The Hospital is hiring independent mediator Burton White to assist, because federal mediator Jim Bailey will not be available.

4/27/2007  NEGOTIATIONS NEWS 4/25/07

Reminder: Surveys must be completed by Friday April 27th, and can be accessed on this web site. ONA and SCMC met for our third round of negotiations on Wednesday, April 25th. In this session we began work on the difficult issues surrounding the merger of SurgiCenter into the main OR. The two units have been separate, and have different working conditions such as hours of operation, surgeries performed, standby requirements, weekend and holidays. We did not reach resolution on this issue. In negotiations, ONA was represented by Shelley Lewis Leander (Chair), Duke Sells (Vice Chair), Angie Streeter (Secretary), Kathy Lenhart (Treasurer), Steve Lowery (Membership Chair), Executive Board members Elaine Teague-Bennett, Judy Gage Scott, Lisa Bearup; and ONA Labor Relations Representative Alison Hamway. The Hospital was represented by Leslie Toll, Rick Martin, Deb Gaspar, Carol Velasquez, Jane Hanson, Karen McGuire, and Linda Bledko. In addition federal mediator Jim Bailey and SCMC mediator Janie Evans RN attended as facilitators. We began by reviewing tentative agreements from the last session. These tentative agreements include language on performance reviews: 5.6.1       Each nurse shall be evaluated by a supervisor/manager/director. Clinical nursing skills shall be reviewed and assessed by an RN with clinical expertise. The supervisor/manager/director has sole responsibility for outcome of evaluation. And additional language on low census call off will be added to Article 11: Low census call off statistics will be a standing agenda item at monthly Labor Management Committee meeting; to evaluate Hospital requested low census call off (HR) trends. If longer term HR trend is identified, LMC will review and identify possible solutions. ONA has an additional proposal on HR that would guarantee payment for minimum of 75% of scheduled work, which has not been bargained yet. We spent some time on ONA’s proposal to have a single standard for relief nurse work availability requirements. We reviewed the history, and the current status of central pool and unit based relief nurses. Negotiations then began on the issue of the SurgiCenter/OR restructuring. Deb Gaspar presented a power point explanation of the rationale for the change. Deb & Rick Martin also clarified that the Hospital has made the decision to merge the two units for due to changed business environment (competition from freestanding surgicenters, increasing number of surgeons, change in patient mix and caseloads), and that restructuring decision is not open for bargaining. The bargaining will be around the impact on wages, hours and working conditions for the affected nurses in the two units. The issue statement was defined as “How do we manage the impact of on caregivers during the process of merging two ORs into one?” We discussed the current operations, the types of surgeries performed in both the main OR & SurgiCenter, and the specialty teams. Each side listed their top concerns. ONA’s top concern is job protection and retention of nurses, including no reduction in hours, honoring the surgical specialty teams, and job satisfaction. Our second concern was adequate education and training for any nurses being cross-trained or assigned new duties. ONA also wanted stand-by issues resolved, including relief for the PACU, honoring the hiring conditions of SurgiCenter nurses, and competency for all nurses taking standby. Adequate staff for coverage of increasing workloads is also an ONA issue. Management’s top concern was ability to change their operation to meet their business needs, and the need to stay flexible in their operation to keep customers in a changing business environment. They want to minimize the impact on nurses, and they are committed to staff development and competency. They want one efficient, fiscally responsible operation that can care for patient needs. And they want a level of service that can attract and retain physicians. We then had an open discussion of possible solutions. In interest based bargaining, a free flow of suggested solutions is encouraged, and we try to reach consensus on a joint solution. One area where there is a disparity in solutions is the issue of standby requirements. This issue is not resolved, and the other issues in the merger are still being discussed. Our next negotiations will be on Weds. May 2nd, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Conference room D. We will continue with the OR/SurgiCenter restructuring discussion. If additional items are able to be discussed in the negotiation session, we will continue bargaining over the relief nurse expectatio