Petaluma Valley Hospital nurses to walk picket lines Wednesday, July 16 in response to the hospital reducing work assignments in violation of their union contract
The hospital’s refusal to abide by its contract since March has cost nurses thousands of dollars in lost salary and is forcing many nurses to consider leaving the Providence-owned hospital to which many have dedicated their careers
Petaluma, Calif. — On Wednesday, July 16, nurses at Petaluma Valley Hospital will hold a one-day informational picket to protest management’s disregard of essential job protection measures, which have safeguarded their rights for the past two decades.
The hospital is violating Article 22 of the nurses’ collective bargaining agreement, which restricts management’s ability to place registered nurses on Temporary Work Reduction (TWR). Article 22 allows the hospital to place an individual nurse on TWR no more than 14 times a year and 24 hours a month. However, hospital leadership has begun to disregard these provisions.
“I’ve lost $7,000 in wages since March due to excessive TWR,” said RN Catherine Armstrong. “Providence Health and Petaluma Valley Hospital management’s actions are in direct violation of our contract, illustrating a blatant disregard for the nurses who dedicate their lives to patient care.”
WHAT: Informational Picket held by registered nurses at Petaluma Valley Hospital.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 16: 7:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Petaluma Valley Hospital, 400 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma
Nurses secured strong contractual language that limits Petaluma Valley’s ability to reduce work when the hospital census dips in order to retain its nurses and maintain safe staffing levels at all times. In March, the hospital began violating the contractual requirement, and the hospital is now seeking to eliminate all restrictions on Temporary Work Reductions in negotiations for a new contract, which also began in March.
The abrupt change has forced some nurses to deplete their paid time off balances to compensate for lost wages. This not only undermines their financial stability but also affects their ability to take sick leave or vacation time.
Many nurses are now faced with the difficult decision of whether to remain at Petaluma Valley Hospital.
“I would hate to leave, but I’ve been interviewing elsewhere and have received several job offers,” said RN Aldena Garrett. “Other local hospitals have weaker TWR protections than we’ve had at Petaluma Valley, but at least they respect them.”
The potential loss of experienced nurses raises concerns about staff shortages and the overall quality of patient care.
“It’s disheartening to see some of our most skilled RNs considering leaving,” said Catherine Armstrong. “The loss of these nurses could lead to an imbalance in skill levels among the remaining staff, putting patient safety at risk.”
A recent union survey revealed that 83 percent of Petaluma Valley nurses are the primary income earners in their households, 82 percent spend a third of their monthly income on housing, and 60 percent stated that a $500 emergency expense would pose a significant financial burden.
In response to Petaluma Valley Hospital’s elimination of TWR protections, the Petaluma Staff Nurse Partnership, which represents the nearly 150 RNs at the hospital, sent a cease-and-desist letter to the hospital, which the hospital ignored, and filed a grievance that is currently being scheduled for arbitration. Additionally, the union filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, citing management’s failure to provide adequate notice of contract changes and a meaningful opportunity to negotiate.
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The Petaluma Staff Nurse Partnership represents nearly 150 Petaluma Valley RNs. The union is affiliated with the National Union of Healthcare Workers.
