Stand united with Kadlec RNs at Nov. 9 rally in Tri-Cities

Sign petition today supporting nurses who are struggling for fair contract

The following is from the Washington State Nurses Association:

RICHLAND — The registered nurses at Kadlec Medical Center in Richland are standing united against management’s refusal to ensure safe staffing levels and attempts to take away valuable paid vacation and sick leave. After nearly six months and nine negotiating sessions, the RNs, represented by the Washington State Nurses Association, need the support of the community telling hospital management to “Care for the RNs Who Care for Us!”

TAKE A STAND — WSNA and the Kadlec RNs invite all union members and community supporters to a rally from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9 at John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way in Richland. This plaza is on the major commuter route through Richland — a great opportunity to show community support for the RNs who care for us.

Community members also are invited to sign WSNA’s online petition in support of the Kadlec RNs and calling on management to “respect our nurses.”

Every day, the nurses at Kadlec put their patients first, covering staff shortages and skipping breaks to give the members of the Tri-Cities community the best care. But inadequate staffing policies and proposed cuts to nurses’ paid time off and sick leave threaten RNs’ ability to do that.

While Kadlec’s recent affiliation with Providence Health & Services is allowing the hospital to expand with a multi-million dollar tower, nurses are stretched to their limits and are faced with cuts to paid time off and sick leave worth thousands of dollars a year for some nurses. Kadlec is serving more patients than ever, and the patients are sicker. Despite these increasing demands, Kadlec wants to reward their nurses with cuts.

Since Kadlec’s affiliation with Providence Health, the relationship between the nurses and hospital management has deteriorated. Management has made changes in equipment and procedures that may be good for the hospital’s bottom line but are not in the best interests of patient safety. Nurses always put patients before profits, and we want Providence and Kadlec to do the same.

TAKE A STAND!

1. Attend the rally on Monday, Nov. 9, 4 to 6 p.m. at John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland

2. Sign the petition.

3. Show your support on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kadlecrns