January 19, 2010 ‑ As most of you know, there has been a drastic slowdown in patient admissions. Our Union representative is keeping a close watch to make sure everyone is called off in proper rotation according to our contract.

We have been told that members can sign up to work at other hospitals as shared employees to make up hours missed at El Monte. Just make sure that in so doing you are not placed in an area where you are not competent. You will put yourself and the patient at risk, which is not worth fulfilling lost hours. We have heard of this happening and just want to caution our members against it. Flyers with information pertaining to unemployment benefits have been distributed and include a phone number and website for members to call to see if you are eligible.

Also, save your pay stubs since we are still working on pending grievances for wrongful cancelations and unpaid sign-on bonuses. If you have been canceled out of rotation, contact your steward or Union representative.

Two continuing education classes held at Morongo Casino and Resort in Cabazon were a great success. Everyone was enlightened by the information given regarding being a charge nurse and the responsibility that goes with it. Some El Monte Nurses attended and we encourage more to get involved in our education classes as they become available.

For information on any of the above issues, contact Union Representative JoAnn Valdez-Kaiser at (909) 292-6915 or valdezj@seiu121rn.org.

We are currently addressing the following contract issues that have been brought to our attention. Below is what our contract states regarding each issue. We always do our best to address the issues that you as members feel are important as well as those that our Union sees as potentially unhealthy working conditions. It is always our intention to protect you and your license that you worked so hard to earn.

Meal and Rest Periods
1. The facility will comply with the applicable Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Order regarding meal periods, meal period waivers, missed meal period penalties, and "on duty" meal period agreements.

2. Unpaid, un-worked meal periods will not be counted as hours worked in calculating overtime to be paid under any provision of this agreement.

3. The facility will comply with the applicable Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Order regarding 10 minute rest periods.

4. An employee will make every effort to notify his/her supervisor in advance of his/her inability to leave the workstation for a meal period.

Any time an employee misses a meal period, he/she must provide his/her supervisor with a written explanation as to why the meal period was missed.

5. Adequate Coverage: The Department supervisor shall make reasonable efforts to provide adequate coverage and relief for employee's meal.

Compensation
A Registered Nurse who is assigned to be in charge or who is performing the duties of a Charge Nurse shall receive additional compensation of $1.50 per hour above his/her regular rate of pay.

Sign-on Bonus
At present we have addressed the issue of nurses who have not received their sign-on bonus. If you sign anything, please retain your own copy for your records and hold onto pay stubs showing when you received your sign-on bonus. Although there is a debate going on at this time over whether a person should be paid based on hours worked to fulfill their obligation, there is no stipulation stating such reason to deny a nurse the sign-on bonus. A grievance has been filed.

The Clinical Ladder provides monetary recognition for the professional development and clinical expertise of the bedside nurse. It allows Registered Nurses to direct their own professional growth, thereby increasing personal satisfaction.

We are currently looking for two permanent members who can attend the monthly Clinical Ladder committee meeting. You would be instrumental in addressing concerns and keeping members informed of the direction of the Clinical Ladder.

El Monte management will allow two hours per month paid time for each employee who participates in the Clinical Ladder Committee.