MASSACHUSETTS NURSE NEWSLETTER :: September 2007

Unit 7 in Central Massachusetts holds legislative briefing

Staffing issues, working conditions and the ability to provide safe, quality care on the agenda

MNA members of Unit 7 representing Worcester State Hospital and Westborough State Hospital invited Central Massachusetts legislators to attend a legislative briefing on July 13. The meeting was held at the MNA Region 2 headquarters in Worcester to discuss with legislators the impact the state budget has on staffing issues, working conditions and the ability to provide safe care to the vulnerable populations at those facilities.

Michael D’Intinosanto, RN and president of MNA Unit 7, presented the results of a March 2007 Unit 7 membership survey that detailed the staffing crisis, the all too common use of mandatory overtime at DMH facilities state-wide, and the impact poor staff morale has on the recruitment and retention of staff at state facilities.

Also presented was hospital-specific data detailing the RN vacancies at Worcester and Westborough State Hospitals and the use of mandatory overtime at those facilities.

At the meeting Carol Kleindienst, RN, Patricia Harmat, RN, and Jeffrey Harmat, RN, represented nurses at Worcester State Hospital and Mary Colby, RN, and Vaughn Garabedian, RN, represented nurses at Westborough State Hospital. All nurses were experts in the areas where they work and they each shared their concerns about staffing, workplace violence, morale and recruitment/retention. They also stressed that there was an undeniable need for increased funding so that related improvements could be made.

Legislators who attended the briefing or who were represented by aides were Sens. Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester), Stephen Brewer (D-Barre) and Pam Resor (D-Acton) and Reps. Robert Spellane (D-Worcester), James O’Day (D-West Boylston), John Fresolo (D-Worcester), Anne Gobi (D-Spencer) and Geraldo Alicea (D-Charlton).