Kadlec Medical Center

Dates are set for negotiations and your team wants to hear from you!  Please take a few minutes to complete this very important survey, click here.

It will be available until May 7, 2012. 

We have had Interest Based Negotiations Training April 24-25, 2012. Sessions are scheduled for May 22-23, June 5-6 and June 19.

Your input is very valuable to us as we go into negotiations.  We have nurses from almost every department representing you at the table.

Molly London - Resource                     
Tera Boggs - Resource    
Paula Gonzalez - Surgical 
Christine Schoengarth - OR 
*Gina Cronrath - OP
*Narda Leeming - ICU   
Melanie Solis - Cardiac Unit      
Ronda Medina - OR
Brenda Stansbery - Birth Center 
Jennie Spaulding - Acute Care 
*Deanna Diulio - Birth Center
Megan Moody-Pitkin - Education
Chanda Ensunsa - CDU 
Katie Nicholls-Resource                                   
Ken Wilke-Acute Care
Danielle Espinosa - Surgical
April Valdez - DI                        
*Gary Cook - ICU                         
Martha Galvez - Birth Center
Nita Berry - Birth Center                      
                       
*Denotes Your Executive Team (Local Unit Officers)

Laura Anderson, WSNA Attorney and Carmen Garrison, WSNA Nurse Representative            

A call for nominations is going out to all nurses who are members in good standing. Please follow the directions in the document and return to WSNA by June 16, 2011.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS

A. The officers of this unit shall be:

1. • Chairperson
   • Vice-Chairperson
   • Secretary/Treasurer
   • Grievance Officer
   • Member-At-Large
2. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson and shall become Chairperson in case of a vacancy in that office.
3. Vacancies in any office shall be filled in the event of a mid-term vacancy by appointment of the Executive Committee.
4. Officers shall serve as the Executive Committee with the authority and responsibility as outlined in these rules.

B. Duties of Officers:

1. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the unit and be an ex officio member, with vote, of all committees, except the Nominating Committee.
2. The Vice-Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson, and shall perform other duties as may be assigned.
3. The positions of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined and held by one person.
4. The Grievance Officer shall be the liaison between the unit and WSNA to advise and assist WSNA in the Association's dealings with the Employer concerning grievances.
5. Standing and special committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.
6. Member-At-Large may perform unit duties as delegated.

Greetings Kadlec nurses!  Did you attend the local unit meeting this month?  If not, come see what you missed.  See the newly developed WSNA News Bulletin (PDF) created for the nurses of Kadlec.

As we enter another flu season, WSNA is committed to advocating for the health of nurses and the patients that we serve. Because of this commitment, and consistent with interim CDC recommendations, we strongly recommend that nurses and all other health care providers who provide direct patient care be vaccinated this fall.

However, a voluntary vaccination program is only one component of a comprehensive influenza prevention policy that must include hierarchy of controls such as screening visitors and employees, having appropriate and adequate supply of personal protective equipment, patient and employee education programs and supportive workplace infection control practices and policies. If you have reasons for not having the flu vaccine, sign the declination letter. You do not have to provide them with a reason.

WSNA sent a letter to the CEOs and CNOs of all the WSNA represented hospitals (including Kadlec Medical Center) urging them to adopt an approach that adheres to the comprehensive, proven, and reliable flu prevention protocol recommended by the CDC and offered to partner with the hospitals to achieve optimal levels of health and safety for both patients and nurses. 

We believe that masking policies must follow CDC guidelines for all workers, not just those unvaccinated (currently required when within 6 feet of patients) and not be used as a retaliation or punishment for unvaccinated workers.  WSNA has opposed policies of employers who require unvaccinated nurses to wear a mask at all times and clearly communicated our position through a variety of methods.  The National Labor Relations Board is currently deliberating on our case against Virginia Mason Hospital with regards to their masking policy.

We need you to be vigilant as to whether Kadlec Medical Center is practicing or providing proper support to adhere to a comprehensive program.  If you have any concerns or questions, please contact:

Carmen Garrison WSNA Nurse Rep
1-800-231-8482 ext 3113
cgarrison@wsna.org

The following changes were voted on by our members and passed.

Letter of Understanding – Float Clusters

WSNA and KRMC agree to adjust the Float Clusters so that new units are incorporated into the Float Clusters and to help facilitate effective staffing and patient care with the Acute Care Model.

Effective June 23, 2010, the Float Clusters will be realigned as follows:

• Surgical, IPR;
• Clinical Decision Unit (CDU), Outpatient Procedures (OPP), Cath Lab, Diagnostic Imaging*;
• ICU, Cardiac Unit;
• Adult Acute Care Floors (4th Floor River, 6th Floor River, 3rd Floor Orchard)
• Perioperative (Pre Surgical Unit (PSU), PACU, OR)*;
• Birth Center, Peds, NICU*;
• Emergency Department*;
• Outpatient Oncology;

* No change to current contract language. Simply listing to show float clusters groupings in their entirety.

Thank you for coming out to the vote! Copies of the LOU will be mailed to you as this will become part of your contract.