RNs at Barton Memorial Hospital serve notice of intent to strike

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Nurses Association (CNA) has served Barton Health with another ten-day notice of their RNs' intent to strike on May 24, 2019. This is the second such notice this year. Their original notice was sent on February 15 and was withdrawn on February 22.

Negotiations have been ongoing between the nurse's union and Barton Health since the Registered Nurses (RNs) at Barton Memorial Hospital and Lake Tahoe Surgery Center voted 123 to 17 to unionize on November 15, 2017.

Since their first bargaining table discussions in March 2018, the union and Barton have been in active negotiations and have reached some agreements, but the key issues of wages and benefits have not yet been discussed.

In the first 19 joint bargaining sessions 26 tentative agreements were reached. However, no agreement has been reached in the last 12 bargaining sessions. Befu said this was in spite of proposals made by Barton in the presence of a federal mediator.

"We voted in the union because we need a union to address the bare-bones staffing and the need to retain and recruit experienced nurses to our hospital,” said Beth Dameral, RN. “But since we sat down at the table, hospital management has made it clear they are not willing to work with us. They have reneged on promises, they have stalled negotiations, and they are withholding information that we have a right to have. We feel we have no choice but to strike.”

National Labor Relations Board requires that a union representing healthcare workers provide the employer with a notice 10 days in advance of the strike date. With that notice, the hospital can hire temporary nurses to fill the gap since they will be offering all services during the strike.

Even though the notice is for a one-day strike, Barton has hired replacement workers from an agency that requires a five-day strike contract. If they do strike May 24 the current nurses would be able to return to work on their next scheduled day on or after May 29, 2019, according to Barton Health's Director of Marketing, Public Relations & Patient Experience Mindi Befu.

"Since the last strike was withdrawn by CNA, we have met six times with the union, including four sessions with a federal mediator," said Befu. "Proposals were passed by both sides. Previously, we achieved 26 tentative agreements. We have yet to discuss wages and benefits and are eager to discuss an economic package for our nurses. Unfortunately, this is delayed when the union asks our nurses to go on strike. Barton will continue to provide exceptional patient care during the strike. We’ve hired qualified replacement nurses who are specially trained for this type of work and will work alongside Barton staff and physicians."

The nurses say with the hospital "failing to negotiate in good faith, they have no choice but to set a one-day strike for May 24," CNA said in a statement. "Nurses contend that hospital management is refusing to take the necessary steps to retain experienced nurses and schedule the staffing necessary to provide the best patient care possible."

"We are disappointed that the California nurses’ union has served Barton Health with a notice of their intent to strike on May 24, 2019," added Befu."We are in active negotiations with the union and have been meeting regularly since March of 2018."

“No one wants to go on strike, we want to be at the bedside taking care of our patients,” said Kelli Teteak, RN. “I have worked at Barton for 18 years. This is where I get my care, and this is where my family gets care. But Barton has made it clear they don’t want us to have a voice in patient care, and they are determined to bust the union. Hospital management is taking punitive actions against nurses who are standing up for their rights. The hospital is threatening to impose a four-day lockout against striking nurses. This is a bully tactic aimed at punishing nurses by making it hard for them to provide for their families as they fight for the wellbeing of the community."

On Wednesday, April 24, 2019, Barton Health filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge with the National Labor Relations Board contending the union is refusing to engage in good faith collective bargaining. The CNA filed the same claim against Barton one week ago.

CNA sats they have filed unfair labor practices charges with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing hospital management of not bargaining in good faith.

Facts provided by Barton:

RN Turnover

Retention for RNs working at Barton has been below or at the state average. In 2016, RN turnover at Barton was 9.5% compared to a statewide average of 10.7%. In 2017, RN turnover at Barton dropped to 8.7%, compared to 11.4% statewide. In 2018, RN turnover was 11% compared to 10.5% statewide.

Staffing Ratios

Barton meets or exceeds CA state requirements for staffing ratios. In 2017, Barton Health requested to remove the rural ratio waiver from the state to increase its required staff ratio to 1 nurse for every 5 patients in Med/Surg/Ortho (previously it was 1 to 6). Once approved, Barton began recruiting additional RNs to reach the 1:5 ratio. Additionally, since 2017, Barton has added 31 nurses to the team increasing coverage for all departments.

"CNA says it will not move ahead to attempt to reach an agreement until Barton agrees to the union’s Association Security proposal, which mandates that Barton terminate any California RN who does not join the union, said Befu. "CNA’s proposal gives Nevada RNs a choice, based on Nevada law. Barton wants all nurses to have a choice and does not want to terminate anyone for their choice."

Barton will offer full services during the strike and honor our commitment to our patients. Scheduled procedures at Lake Tahoe Surgery Center will be relocated.