NLRB to File Default Judgement on SRMC

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

REDDING - UPEC has been working with the National Labor Relations Board on a number of charges focused against the former owners of Shasta Regional Medical Center (SRMC) since October 30, 2008. In a letter issued by David Reeves, NLRB Counsel, dated May 29, 2009, Reeves advises his intent is to file a motion for default judgement against Hospital Partners of America and SRMC Management, Inc. (former SRMC operators). Apparently the former owners have not responded to communications from the NLRB in the matter of severance pay for the former workers represented by the United Public Employees of California Local 792 in Redding. “Our former members were ripped off and we will continue to fight for them and exhaust all legal means to see justice served”, said Business Manager Chris Darker. 

June is National Drive Safe Month

Monday, June 01, 2009

Driving too close?????  To determine how fast a vehicle is traveling, most people rely on their speedometer, but what is more important is how many feet you are traveling in a second in order to determine approximately how many feet there should be between vehicles.  These are some specifics:  It’s miles per hour x 1.46 + feet per second.  Simplified, if you are traveling 70 m.p.h., you are traveling approximately 102 feet per second.  In three seconds you have traveled the length of a football field.
The average person takes approximately ¾ of a second to perceive a hazard and another ¾ second to react by applying brakes.  The Department of Vehicles recommends the three second rule (one car per 10 miles per hour).  It all comes down to common sense and judgment.  Instead of making good time, make time good!  Relax and enjoy the ride. And Remember to Buckle UP!

Nurses Push Legislation to Federalize Staffing Levels

UCS News Service- Leaders and members of the United America Nurses (UAN), AFL-CIO, have pledged to redouble their efforts to secure passage of landmark legislation that would make federal RN staffing rations the law of the land. The legislation is The Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2009 (H.R. 2273), sponsored by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) It would amend the Public Health Service Act to require that all hospitals develop and implement staffing plans that must meet newly established minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient rations, adjust staffing levels based on the condition of patients and other factors an ensure quality care and patient safety. UAN President Ann Converso said a federal law is needed to ensure that there are enough RNs on staff. “Nurses and patients do not need another hospital committee, task force or working group to discuss the problem. If hospitals could be trusted to do the right think without a law, they would have already done so. We need federal legislation to make sure that there is a minimum, basic level of RN care provided no matter where you go.” The UAN said studies have shown patient care suffers when there is not enough RNs at the bedside. The union says lac of nurses at the bedside is, in turn, contributing to a nurse staffing crisis as more and more RNs choose less stressful and dangerous career paths. Currently, there is no federal law or standard requiring a minimum level of RN staffing. One state, California, has passed an RN staffing ratio law. The United American Nurse, AFL-CIO, represents nurses across the country in state nurses associations, collective bargaining programs and independent unions.