By Marshall Allen The Las Vegas Sun Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010
Nurses at MountainView Hospital are selecting leaders and assembling a bargaining committee after a decisive victory to be represented by the California Nurses Association.
The intense campaign lasted months -- including a delay for the National Labor Relations Board to investigate allegations that the hospital's administration violated the law. The hospital settled the case. It culminated Thursday night with a 240 to 152 vote in favor of the union.
"It was a hard fought battle but we finally rose to achieve our goal," said Orsburn Stone, a MountainView registered nurse who helped lead the campaign. Stone said the union representation will give nurses a voice in the delivery of care to patients, making it more safe and effective. It will also make the nursing care more participatory, he said.
The California Nurses Association is affiliated with the 150,000-member National Nurses United. The CNA also represents nurses at the three St. Rose Dominican hospitals.
Jill Furillo, a registered nurse and national bargaining director for the national organization, said the union is concentrating on MountainView now but will be assessing an expansion to other hospitals in Las Vegas.
Within a few weeks the nurses will be bargaining with MountainView administrators over a contract, Furillo said. The St. Rose nurses received wage increases and a structure to advocate for patients in their contracts, which will provide a template for the MountainView negotiations, Furillo said.
MountainView is part of the Sunrise Health System in Las Vegas. It is owned by Tennessee-based HCA.
The hospital sent the Sun a statement, thanking everyone who took part in the election and praising the talent of its staff.
"Our mission and vision always has been and continues to be the very best in care and services for our community," the statement said.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jan/19/nurses-union-wins-election-mountainview-hospital/
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