February 18, 2010 - Most of the proposals our Union put forth in the past two days arose out of actual working scenarios that put patient and nurse safety in jeopardy, and required nurses to address the same issues over and over again. We continue to work on non-economic issues before tackling pay, benefits and other monetary items.

SAFETY ISSUES
     We all know someone who has a back problem because our job involves lifting or transporting patients. We are proposing new language on patient handling that includes the hospital establishing a lift and transport team. There are far too many injuries due to lifting patients who are too heavy for us to handle. As we all know, patients are getting heavier. Blue collar workers have lift requirements, but we are often expected to lift hundreds of pounds without assistance.  
     Our proposal also would require the hospital to provide necessary safety equipment, improve training and increase inspections of equipment and improve inspection procedures and follow-through on needed repairs or corrections.
     Our Bargaining Team relayed real-life instances of carts not ergonomically adjusted almost a year after requested and roof leaks that seeped into patient rooms days after being reported to maintenance.