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Letters of Support for Brockton Hospital Nurses
- I am a former brockton hospital employee. I graduated from
Brockton Hospital in 1982. I worked at Brockton Hospital for
four years. I am presently employed at Cape Cod Hospital. I
have worked there for thirteen years. I worked in the coronary
care unit for all those years and presently work in the cardiac
cath recovery unit. We have been experiencing the effects of
the nursing shortage like the hospials accross the nation.
The nursing supervisors call almost daily to fill the daily
vacancies of RN positions. I am writing to express my support
of your efforts to improve your impossible working conditions.
Please never underestimate the importance of the difficult
burden you now bear. Your sacrifices will not only improve
your working conditions, but will hopefully improve nursing
working conditions around the nation. The Brockton Hospital
administration, the MNA, the Brockton RN's, and the other RN
's who support you know the nation is watching. I have called
the CEO of Brockton Hospital to urge him to get back to the
negotiating table and meet the reasonable requests of the RN's.
I have also called my state legislatures to express support
of the 1186 bill. Please let me know how I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Donna M. Price RN
PO BOX 2102
SANDWICH,MA. 02563
- Brockton nurses: I am very proud of you Northern
sisters taking a strong stance against the oppression of
the paternalistic
hospital administration. May your strength and unity be an
inspiration for nurses around the country and around the world.
I am with you in spirit and if it were not for the distance,
I would be proud to share your picket line. "Fight the powers
that be." K. Sayeg RN Griffin, Georgia
- I am in complete and total support of all you nurses. I
am an RN in California and although my hospital situation is
not as bad as yours, I can see it becoming this way in the
years to come. If ever on strike, I will remember you and gain
strength from your willpower. Stay strong and remember, nurses
are there for the patients, the same patients that put food
on the CEO's table every night. We all need to stick together
and fight for our patients. TAKE CARE
- Dear Brockton Nurses,
You have the support of the nurses at Sutter Coast Hospital in
Crescent City, CA. This must be getting very tiring for you.....you
people are pioneers in making healthcare safe for the American
public. Obviously, you CEO sees nothing wrong with somehow
finding the money to pay "rapid replacement" nurses (read
scab) but cannot find the way and means to negotiate a fair
and equitable contract. Never forget that you are forerunners
in making healthcare safe for the American public and in
speaking up for your profession!
Keep up your spirits. If I wasn't in California, I would be marching
with you.
Sincerely,
Candy Weiland, RN
Crescent City, CA 95531
- Hey sisters and brothers, We went through this last year.
No matter what they say, no matter what they do you must stick
it out. They are counting on you to fold. They are also hoping
to pit you against eachother don't fall for this, this is their
plan. STAND UNITED, YOU WILL NOT FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are several of us that come and picket with you, you
have to stay strong. When you feel like there is no end and
you're about to cross or you know someone is going to cross
that is the time that you need to be the strongest. I know
from experience.
Fellow MNA nurse and striker Darlene B.
Saint Vincent's Hospital,
Worcester, MA
- As a nurse for 28 years who has done it all - hospitals,
VNA and now school nursing, I APPLAUD YOUR DETERMINATION
AND COURAGE! Brockton Hospital nurses are not walking a picket
line alone - they represent an issue facing nurses NATIONWIDE
from ICU's to the school setting and everything in between.
All of us in practice today are asked to compromise ourselves
when it comes to the issue of safe patient care. Daily we are
asked to do more and often with less - less funding, less supplies,
less staff. We are told regularly that A NURSE IS A NURSE IS
A NURSE...a statement that sends shivers down my spine! Do
patients want a podiatrist taking care of their cardiac complications
post-op? ETC., ETC., ETC. Nurses across the country
are saying that they cannot and wiil not continue to work
under
current conditions, no matter what the patient care setting.
WHY? Because it does not allow them to provide safe care.
Bottom line. How can we as nurses change this? We need to
support
our fellow nurses in this effort, they are walking for all
of us. I ask that nurses everywhere give a show of support
to the Brockton Hospital nurses, forget the CEO, forget those
MD's. This is about what we know and do best - patient care.
I intend to walk with all of you.
Thanks, Beth in Middleboro
- To all the B.H. nurses:
I am a student nurse at Massasoit, I have one year left before
I graduate and I would like to thank you all for setting an example
for patient advocacy. I am dismayed that the general public
thinks the whole strike is just about a pay increase. It's
about patient safety and quality patient care! That's what
they taught us all last year ~ be an advocate for your patients! Ensure
their safety! They have the right to expect quality care! Brockton
Hospital nurses have a well known history of providing excellent
patient care, but how are you able to continue with that
high level of practice working 16 hour mandated shifts in a hospital
that does such a huge volume of care? Best of luck to you
all!! I have been there picketing with you all and
I'll be back with some more members of my class, because we support
you ~~ you are fighting for our future!!!!! Thank you!!
Maryellen
- My name is Kim. I'm a nurse at Stanford University
Hospital (located in the San Francisco Bay Area). We
were on strike last Summer for fifty-one days. The Hospital
replaced us with nurses from US Nursing Corp. The care
was extremely unsafe while these nurses were working in our
place. I am proud of our union and our nurses. I
just wanted you to have a contact in case you needed any information
about this company. I kept a lot of data on patient care
incidents during the strike. Please contact me if you
need any information. Good luck with your negotiations
and hang in there! -- Kim
- I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. YOU ARE STRONG
AND COURAGEOUS. I AM A NURSE AT SOUTH SHORE AND I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT
THE NURSES THAT VOTED DOWN THE UNION WILL SEE HOW UNITED
YOU NURSES ARE.I WILL BE THERE NEXT SUNDAY WITH SOME SSH NURSES
TO SUPPORT YOU. GOOD LUCK!
- The nurses at the North Shore Medical Center in Salem,
Mass. thank you and support all your efforts for safe patient
care and no mandatory overtime. We are in the planning
stages to come and join you on the picket line. We all
believe in what you doing. Keep up the good work. Hope
to see you soon!
- Hang in there we're all supporting you up
here in the north! We just spent the day at the State House fighting to
keep our hospital open. We have all received layoff notices
as of June 30,2001. We're hanging in there and fighting
to the end so you do the same!
In spirit and unity!
Hale Hospital Nurses
Haverhill, Ma
- Dear Brockton Nurses,
I just read your story about your Easter weekend and am shocked
that this kind of care is TOLERATED by your corporate entity. It's
always about bottom line medicine and our country needs to wake
up and say "enough is enough". You are fighting for your
patients, your license and your sanity. It is no wonder there
is a severe nursing shortage in America today. Please keep
up your spirits....if I was in MASS I would take a day off and
join you...otherwise know that I am there in spirit and am very
proud of your efforts to change the way healthcare is delivered. By
the way....our hospital recently just used the words "mandatory
OT" to me last week (I was charge nurse in ICU). I had come
in early at 5:15 AM to help out and instead of a thank you at that
time, the supervisor said to the ER nurse where the patients for
ICU were being held...."she won't be in till 5:15...she is probably
working on union stuff". I then got called at 6:40 PM and
was told "before I invoke mandatory OT, I want to give you the
opportunity to stay until 11PM". I told her that since I
had already done 14 hours, I did not feel safe working another
4 hours. I am sure you understand this attitude!!! Safe
working conditions must PREVAIL!
My thoughts and prayers are with you,
Candy, RN
Crescent City, CA
- Brockton nurses—We nurses at Stanford and Packard Children's
Hospital @ Stanford support you. You are fighting for
all RN's across the country for our rights, dignity and tolerable
working conditions. We wish you speedy resolution.
Sue Weinstein,
CRONA President
- Dear Brockton Nurses!
Stay strong and fight for your rights!!! We are a little
hospital....up until recently we have been staffed with 3 nurses
and have been using 4 nurses.....many of these people are really
sick (ICU). One sick call with us and the whole staffing
goes down the tubes. The administration does not seem to
realize that everytime we have "floats" from other places coming
in to care for critical patients, that our licenses are on the
line. We have had med surg nurses caring for fresh MI's,
we have had to stick a tele nurse in with a patient on dopamine
gtt and ventilator, we have even had our hospital dump patients
on med surg and make them TELE OVERFLOW....which means they go
from ER to Med Surg. Of course, several of them turn out
to be fresh MI's and come to us anyway. This is clearly in
violation of the Calif Nurse Practice Act....people cannot care
for patients that are out of their level of practice and be safe. So
stay strong, stay united and know that we are behind you 100%. Please
pay attention to all those e-mails from people who have "walked
the line" before you......we may be there someday ourselves!
Sincerely,
Candy, RN, CA
- To the striking nurses,
Good luck in your fight. Stand tough and stand together and
remember that you are fighting for a better life for yourselves
and your families.
In solidarity,
Debbie, H.E.R.E. International Union
- I have worked with you in the past and know what a great
job you all do. Fight for what we all know is right! My
wishes and support are here for you all. Best of luck & hang
tough!
Annmarie RN
- You guys are our inspiration! Hang in there and keep
the faith. Our cause is just.
Rick
Director, UNAP
- The place (brockton er) is chaos without you!!!!.. scab
nurses running around like chickens with thier heads cut off,
or even worse, like they own the place and are doing everyone
a favor by being there. stay strong and rest easy in knowing
that we (the emt's and paramedics) are behind you all the way.
we miss you all and look forward to your return. ( i'm lost
without sheila c.)
rob.....
firefighter/paramedic
- Hi All, I'm a striking Brockton Hospital nurse who just
wanted to say thanks to all of you emailers for all your support...yes
indeed we are fighting for our patients, ourselves and our
fellow nurses...we will be strong and will NEVER give in to
the scab infested management of Brockton Hospital...please
know how much we appreciate your kind, encouraging words...only
thru you and with you will we have the courage to perservere...God
bless, keep the letters coming and keep the pressure on the
management (hahaha) at Brockton Hospital...
Julie E.R.R.N.
- As a student from the Brockton Hospital
School of Nursing, I wanted to let everyone know that we
stand behind the nurses
100%. The administration has placed students between
a rock and a hard place in that we either cross the picket
line to continue our education or take a leave of absence for
a year during which time we would likely forget the skills
already learned; would be required to extend our education
by an entire year; and would seriously foul up financial aid
arrangements. Please know that the students fought hard
to avoid having to have clinical placements at the hospital
during the strike but to no avail. It was a very difficult
decision for many of us to go against our beliefs and continue
with our education. We thank the nurses for their understanding
during our clinical assignments in allowing us to cross the
picket line without much difficulty and they can be assured
that we will only do what is required from us as students and
no more. We will do what we can to support you. Many
of us have tied green ribbons on our cars, trees, and clothes
and have spread the word. We will fill in on the strike
line when needed and encourage others to do the same.
Stay strong and united and you will prevail.
Student, BHSN
- I fully support your fight. The nurses in the Special
Care Nursery took care of my triplets as if they were their
own. My triplets were residents of Brockton Hospital
from 03/20/01-04/05/01. Not only did they care for my
triplets but they gave me support. I had to have my
C-section reopened and it was with their sincere concern
that I took
time to care for myself and let myself heal.
Please let them know I stand behind them.
Nicole Davis
Mom to Kathleen, Daniel, and Ashley Davis born on 03/10/01.
- I have been a nurse in NY State since 1973, now belong
to CWA, who in my opinion has sold nursing practice down the
river. We had a strike vote last summer and the union
sold out. We have no safe staffing practices in our contract. We
have to float, the old "nurse is a nurse" thing. We are
always understaffed, they have obliterated positions rather
than try to fill them. We have vacations threatened if we refuse
to do extra time. Our CEO makes at least $125,000 per
year, which in our small city is a fortune, he gets perks and
drives a Saab given to him as part of his job. He could
care less about any of his staff and routinely shows it. Stay
strong and fight for all nurses, the administrators have caused
the current shortage, it is time for them to fess up to their
part of the problem and work to change things for the better.
Renee, RN
- Dear Fellow Nurses,
YOU GO GIRLFRIENDS!!! I just wanted to drop you all a
line of encouragement, since it was only last June 2000 that my
union went out on strike. For 7 weeks we also fought for
many of the same "rights" as you are asking for. I say rights
because it seems as though the public as well as management think
that they can arbitrarily place as many demands on the nursing
staff as they want. Although many of us chose the field of
nursing because we are caring and giving people, it is time for
us to unite and start making demands to better our lives and enhance
our work environment rather than constantly sacrificing for others. I
strongly encourage you all to really stick together, by this I
mean, "keep in touch with each other". Hook up at the picket
lines, have a BBQ while your at it, keep communicating with your
peers from your unit, meet and get to know peers from other units,
talk to each other about how you're feeling (you may find that
friends or family outside of our field can't readily understand
the circumstances and or the consequences in our careers)...etc. The
list goes on and on. There is an undoubted strength and pride
when there is absolute unity. You may even find a common
bond with a peer who is quite dis-similar to you. Be proud
of yourselves, for it takes great strength to make a stand given
the current economy. You are all making a stand for all of
NURSING'S future. Keep up the great effort, I KNOW you will
SUCEED!!!
K.Chin, BSN, RN
CRONA Member
Stanford Hospital
San Francisco, CA
- Dear RN's
My name is Angie and I'm an RN at Stanford Hospital in California. We
were on strike last summer for 8 weeks. Although scary and
stressful at the time it now seems like years ago and a little
blip on the monitor of life. Stay strong! Don't be afraid. It
will end. They always end. Enjoy the time off. If
need be, get other work. If you can at all swing it, enjoy
the weekends off, mornings to sleep in and days to have picnic
lunches with friends. We had pot-lucks every day on the picket
line. I planned a children's day with games and prizes for
the kids. I brought my kids roller skates and passed cookies out
to people coming into the hospital (along with our boycott Stanford
info flyer). We never let the hospital see us sad about being
outside. The hospital tried many spirit breakers and spread lies
about how many people had crossed but we stayed strong. We
tried to make it as festive as possible. Food and kids seemed a
good way to do that. On the days that it seemed like we would
be on the sidewalk till Christmas, other people who had been on
strike gave us words of support and encouragement. I will
pray that God will give you the faith and strength you all need
to stay united. Don't give up! Work will be there once
again for you. It was for us and the hospital is still reeling
from the errors made by the scab nurses in our absence.
God Bless you all!
Angie, RN
- Hello, my name is Jeff and I am a Business
Agent with the United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 1445 located
in Boston .My wife Cathy and I support you 100%. Your
struggle is a very important one not only for you but also
for health care employees everywhere. Staffing shortages
and mandatory overtime seem to be the order of the day and
it is refreshing to see you folks taking a stand and fighting
back! The nurses at St. Vincent's in Worcester
did the same last year and won their strike and we believe
that if you stick together and stay strong you will too. The
wife and I currently live in Lynn but resided in Brockton for
eight years in the 70s. We will try to make it there
and walk the line if we can.
Good luck and stay strong.
IN SOLIDARITY,
Jeff & Cathy, B.A., & RN
- As a nurse educator in an associates degree
program, I see the local hospitals absolutely KILLING our
new grads. As
a practicing nurse I applaud your courage and wish you well. One
hospital at a time, one group of nurses at a time.
Thanks for your contribution.
- Local 1199 in New York is about to start
contract negotiations on the same theme as the Brockton strike — going
beyond mandatory overtime restrictions to trying to address
the staffing system
itself. We are very supportive of this approach. Please convey
to the Brockton nurses the New York 1199 nurses are cheering
them on! Marilyn
- Dear MNA Nurses,
I just wanted to send you my support and encouragement during
your strike. Last year we, at Stanford/Packard Children's
Hospital, were in your shoes. It was the most difficult and
surreal experience I'd had as a nurse. But it was also necessary
and beneficial, not only to us as nurses, but most importantly
for our patients! One of the most difficult aspects
of our strike was media coverage and hospital spin on issues....don't
let it deter you! WE are at the bedsides, WE understand
what the patient care issues are and how mandatory overtime and
lack of RN retention affects patient outcomes. Keep your
heads high, your picket signs high, take care of yourselves, and
know that you are being thought of and appreciated by every union
RN!
Sincerely,
Lisa, CRONA RN
Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford
- Good Luck to the Brockton Nurses & the MNA
In solidarity,
G. King
Local 285, SEIU
- Dear Brockton Nurses,
Best of luck in your efforts to ensure safe staffing for patients
and nurses. I fully support you in your belief that this is what
it's going to take to turn around the ‘nursing shortage'.
In unity and admiration,
Patricia, RN
- Hi Brockton nurses,
I bet right about now the energy has died down and you're wondering
what the heck happened to make you leave your patients! You are
the best! You are making a stand that is so very important. Everybody
is talking about the forced OT and in agreement with you! Now
comes the battle of the blues and the fear of change. Don't fall
victim to it. You couldn't be expected to do this for much longer
and it will fix the problem.......maybe later rather than sooner
but it will fix it. I went on strike at Carney in 1986 and
a week later my husband went on strike with Sears......it was the
worst of times and the best of times. I was so proud to be taking
the destiny of my practice into my own hands and we survived! The
fear of change and the fear of not working will flood you with
anxieties! RELAX and enjoy the camaraderie of your friends and
the neighborhood support. YOU are the best and you are protecting
the loved ones who need to be watched out for......truly being
patient advocates! Shame on Mr. Goodman for not halting this
before it started but you are right and let him lose the sleep
not you. Enjoy the picket line and I will drop by some time
to walk proudly with all of you.
Good luck, God bless and stand proud!
(If you only knew how many people are supporting you from
far away, you would be astounded by it!!!!!)
Donna, RN
- Dear Brockton Nurses,
Please Stay Strong and Stand United.
The Nurses represented by the General Duty Nurses Association
(YGDNA), ---767 nurses out of a total membership of 771 walked
out of their hospital (Forum Health) at 15:30, May 1, 2001. Today
is May 26. As of today 766 nurses of our membership continue
to stand strong and stand together. We have been on strike
for 26 days now with no end in sight. Our hospital administration
does not want to talk with us. When they talk to us, they
do not want to SAY anything substantive. Many of our issues
are your issues. Mandatory overtime and poor staffing. The
community continues to be supportive of the nurses. Other
unions have also shown their support including teachers, service
workers, Teamsters, steelworkers, autoworkers to name some. Keep
your eye on the nurses at Akron General Hospital in Akron, Ohio. They
are negotiating their contract. You can check on our progress
by going to our web site: www.ygdna.org
The web site of the Ohio Nurses Association is: www.ohnurses.org
My best wishes to you all!
Ruth, Member of YGDNA
- Dear Brockton Nurses,
I want you to know that we have just organized at my hospital
in Crescent City, CA (Sutter Coast Hospital). We are 100%
behind you in your efforts to effect fair and equitable changes
in our profession. Please keep up your spirits and your solidarity.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. We, too, are getting
stonewalled by our hospital admin in our first contract.
Candy, RN
- Dear Brockton Nurses,
I am writing this note to tell you that you are doing the right
thing. Your voices will be heard during this strike. Please
hang in there and know that you are supported by many other nurses
throughout the United States and other countries. Things
will change; we are an honored profession.
In support,
Marie, RN
St. Petersburg, Fl.
formerly from Mass.
- We are so proud of you all... We cannot
believe that nurses from the Midwest are now being paid triple
to work at the hospital
(agency fees, housing, etc.) Wouldn't it be great if
you could all just find jobs elsewhere? The hospital
certainly does not care about your needs or the needs of your
families. The amount of mandatory overtime you have been
doing is outrageous!!!!!!!!! Experienced RNs are
in need. Look around for another job. Good Luck and God
Bless You.
- Living in Brockton I have read the countless
articles about the contract negotiations...keep fighting
for what you believe
in because you all deserve everything you are asking for....
I am a nurse but have been sick for a long time and have been
on the opposite side of not enough staff and mandatory overtime
for the nurses... my most recent hospitalization (non union
hospital) I was given wrong meds, and when I would ring (very
infrequent) it would take forever for someone to come.... I
sympathized with the staff as I am a nurse but it is scary
being the patient.... You have to fight --- for
the patients but MOST IMPORTANTLY for yourselves... when tired
you can make errors but also you could hurt yourself lifting
the wrong way or your chances of getting stuck with a needle
is greater when fatigued..... In the end it will
work out for you... it is a tough battle but everyone is behind
you 100% ....
- I am writing to express my wholehearted appreciation and
admiration for the stance you are taking on mandatory OT, patient
safety, floating issues and salary. Here's wishing you every
success. Alexis, RN
- To all the Brockton Hospital Nurses:
I wish you well! I hope you are able to settle your dispute
quickly and get back caring for patients.
Julie RN
- Good luck, dont give in to those cheap skates. you will
win.
John A., R.N. from Boston Medical Center
- I hope your strike won't last long. Good
Luck and fight for what you want!
- Stay strong and united this situation can eventually effect
all of us. We are all behind you!
MNA Nurse at New England Medical Center
- I have been on your informational picket
line and will be there if you need to walk. As a St. Vincent
Nurse, I know how difficult this will be. But know also,
the entire nursing community is with you. Health care
is in crisis, It need not be the patients and workers
who pay the price. Stand firm.
Your union sister
P. Mayo
- The Hale Hospital Professional Nurses Unit would like to
extend to your bargaining unit our support and encourage
you to remain united in your fight against mandatory overtime
and
salary issues. Your fight is all of ours as these issues
affect all nurses across the state. We need to remain committed
to
fight for the right to work in an environment that allows
nurses to care for their patients without jeopardizing their
professional
standards and their own well being. As one of MNA's oldest
collective bargaining units we know the struggles you are
facing but also know that by sticking together and supporting
each
other you will be victorious in your fight with Management! You
have the best representation in MNA!!!
Hang in there!
Sincerely,
Vice Chairperson
Hale Hospital Professional Nurses Unit
- Striking is not what we want, but it is what we need, for
ourselves, our profession but mostly for our patients. It
may be hard and full of sacrifices, for a while, but we have
come this far, we MUST NOT fold and compromise more than we
already have. We must finish this once and for all. Remember,
we believed the words before, and where did that leave us? Mandatory
overtime is dangerous and one of these days it will show itself
for what it really is...the culprit in the injury and possibly
death of a poor soul who enthrusted his or her health to us! How
many times have we wispered amongst ourselves that we are afraid
that a patient will suffer? Think about it...It may be
one in our family that will be hurt by a tired, overworked,
stressed out nurse. How many victims will a mistake
of that magnitude produce? LET'S STAY STRONG AND BE COURAGEOUS:
WE ARE FIGHTING FOR OUR PATIENTS!
GOOD LUCK!
Maria R.N.
Brockton Hospital
- Please tell the Brockton Nurses they are in our thoughts
and prayers, and if it comes to a walk out we will come and
support them. Patti S (Worc. MA St Vincent's Nurse)
- I appreciate your keeping us apprised of
the situation in Brockton. This mandatory overtime thing
is outrageous!
Eric W. (CPPAX organizer)
- Go For It! I'm an RN since 1977 - I support your
strike! Good Luck!
(Andrea, RN - Cambridge, MA)
- Having gone through this last year at this time, I can
truly say that my heart is with you. It is an awful feeling
to realize that a place that you've given so much of your life
to can betray you in this way. The one thing I would like you
all to remember is that nurses ALL OVER THE WORLD are standing
with you. I will see you on the picket line. It takes a lot
of courage to do this. One other thing...the scabs are the
COWARDS!!!
- Thank you, Brockton RNs, for standing firm
on the Mandatory OT issue! St. V's was the first...you are the second
negotiation where Mandatory OT was the stalemate issue. You
are negotiating for ALL of us and I applaud you! I truly
wonder, sometimes, about Hospital Administrators' approaches
to the Nursing Shortage. Do they think that a working environment
that allows for unsafe patient care will attract people to
the field?? For people who are "running" health care, they
are certainly short-sighted lot!
Good Luck,
Trudy, RN, Falmouth Hospital
- The nurses of Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association,
Ohio Nurses Association, went on strike at 1530, Tuesday,
May 1, 2001. Over 650 nurses left their hospitals (Northside
Hospital, Tod Children's Hospital, Beeghley Medical Park (Western
Reserve Care System, Forum Health) in Youngstown, Ohio. What
a beautiful sight to see so many nurses, shoulder to shoulder,
standing together for their convictions. The prime issues are
poor staffing and manditory overtime. Please know that I, as
one of the striking nurses of YGDNA, give you my moral support. Each
of us is ennobled by our collective efforts. STAY STRONG
!
Ruth, RN, BSN
Member, Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association,
Ohio Nurses Association
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