Hi all, I work two blocks down from where this strike took place. The strike
was at 800 Washington st and I work at 600 washington st. I take paratransit
into work and our paratransit is called simply "the ride". Many patients take
paratransit into their medical appointments. I did learn from one of the
drivers that one of the vans had its windows shattered while dropping off a
passenger for an appointment (not the vanI was on). Some people don't realize
that some medical appointments take 6 months or more to schedule and the strike
was called fairly recently. I would imagine some folks were mad at patients
that crossed the picket lines butit is different from the ppatient's
perspective. I just hope the broken windows were the work of an agent
provokatuer and not a legitimate striker. I have always beena supporter of
organized labor but I'll be the first to admit that it isn't always successful.
The job I have now is the first job that I have ever had which is unionized and
honestly I don't think it helps us. As a state employee legally we can't
strike. If we did our employment is automatically terminated and we could face
criminal charges. That fact alone takes away any real leverage that union brass
tries to make it out like they really have. In the 7 years in my unionized
position I have never had a raise. It was just the opposite in the
non-unionized private sector. Organized labor is beneficial but if the laws and
public opinion don't favor them then often they actually work against employees.
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Roger Loran Bailey
Sent: Thursday, August 3, 2017 12:28 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Tufts nurses strike
https://socialistaction.org/2017/08/01/tufts-nurses-strike/
Tufts nurses strike
/ 2 days ago
Aug. 2017 Tufts nursesBy ERNIE GOTTA
— BOSTON — About 1200 nurses at the Tufts Medical Center went on strike in
July. Following the strike and a four-day lock-out, they returned to work on
July 17 without a new contract in place. The union says it was the largest
nursing strike in Massachusetts history.
Socialist Action recently interviewed Stefanie Reis, a nurse since 2008, who
joined the picket line in solidarity with the striking nurses.
Stefanie works as a nurse on union construction sites in Boston and is a member
of the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA). She is also on the executive
board of the Boston Democratic Socialists of America.
Ernie Gotta: Why did nurses at the Tufts Medical Center go on strike?
Stefanie Reis: I’ve listed the key issues noted on the MNA’s website, along
with my take on each issue:
1) The need for improved nurse staffing with safer patient assignments for
nurses throughout the hospital.
Too many patients means that a nurse can’t give patients the attention they
need and deserve. Encounters are brief and can feel rushed. This creates the
potential for nurses to miss a critical change in a patient’s condition. It can
also leave a nurse vulnerable to physical harm if they miss a change in a
patient’s mental status.
2) The need for more IV nurses and clinical resource nurses. Doctors order
additional treatments and medications for patients throughout the day. IV and
clinical resource nurses would follow through on these orders, which would
result in the patient receiving the treatment or medication in a timely manner
without the primary nurse having to squeeze one more thing into their already
tight schedule.
3) The need to have charge nurses who are free of patient assignments at the
start of all shifts, in all units.
A charge nurse is an RN who is responsible for managing all aspects of nursing
responsibilities during each shift, from processing patients in and out to
delegating nursing rounds. Being free of an initial patient assignment will
allow Tufts’ charge nurses to provide desperately needed support to patients
and nurses at the busiest time (i.e., change of shift). When a charge nurse has
a patient assignment, they are unable to complete the above responsibilities,
which means they fall on the shoulders of the regular staff nurses.
4) The need for wage improvements that will make the hospital market
competitive, thereby improving nurse recruitment and retention.
Nurses at Tufts are the lowest paid in Boston. Some nurses are working three
jobs just to make ends meet. The reports of Tufts nurse’s wages being high were
based on outlier wage data. Some of the wage data included health insurance and
pension in the nurses’ wages. You can’t eat your pension. You can’t pay your
mortgage with health insurance.
5) The need for pension protections/improvements that will make the hospital
market competitive. Tufts has proposed harsh cuts to pensions, and rejected the
counteroffer from the MNA.
EG: The CEO of Tufts, Dr. Michael Wagner, had this to say about the
Massachusetts Nurses Association: “Somebody has to step up and say the
intimidation, harassment, and bullying of the MNA has to be stood up against.”
What are your thoughts on his comment and the way he has dealt with union?
SR: This is the typical anti-union rhetoric I’d expect to hear from a CEO. CEOs
care about their bottom line, regardless of the impact on care. Nurses care
about their patients.
EG: After locking the MNA nurses out following a one-day strike, Wagner has
used temporary nurses to help run the hospital. When people say, “a nurse
strike only hurts the patients,” how do you respond? What would you say to
those who have crossed the picket line?
SR: The hospital is the one putting the patients at risk, not the nurses.
Nurses do not strike for themselves; they strike to protect their patients. And
they do not take striking lightly. The nurses are striking because they know
that their current work conditions cause potential harm to patients. Safe
patient ratios lead to improved health-care outcomes for patients. Nurses need
fair wages. Nursing is inherently stressful. Financial difficulties can lead to
increased stress. The last thing a nurse should have to worry about at the end
of their already stressful day is finances.
EG: What are the differences for nurses in union vs. non-union hospitals?
SR: Non-union facilities have significantly lower wages, significantly higher
number of patients on assignment, verbal abuse, manipulation, and bullying from
management to staff and nurses, infrequent raises, little to no benefits—I’ve
worked as a nurse without health insurance—constant understaffing, and nepotism.
EG: What would you say to others in the medical profession in non-union
workplaces who are fed up with working conditions?
SR: Having attempted to talk to management for improvements in non-union
workplaces, I can tell you that you’ll be beating your head against a wall, or
may be targeted and pushed out of your position. This happened to me once for
discussing staffing concerns and wages in a non-union facility. Management will
not help you, but the union will. Talk to your co-workers. Find out what
problems you are experiencing in common. Then talk to your local nursing union.
The MNA here in Massachusetts are fantastic. They are a great resource, and
will help you unionize your workplace.
EG: I read the other day that a contingent of union members in the building
trades showed up to support the striking nurses. Can you talk about what
solidarity looks like on the picket line? What did it mean for the nurses’
strike to have such a turnout from the building trades?
SR: I was at the picket line in solidarity with Tufts nurses. I work as a nurse
on construction sites. Seeing the building trades come out in support of the
nurses was truly one of the most inspiring moments of my life as an activist.
There was an extra layer of meaning for me to see workers who are essentially
my patients come out in support of the nurses at Tufts. The picket line was a
new experience for the nurses, most of whom have never been part of a strike
before.
The building trades are more experienced in supporting striking workers, which
was evident in the energy, excitement, and militancy that they brought with
them. The nurses were overjoyed to see the showing of solidarity. It was
impactful for the nurses to see the streets flooded with people.
EG: What has this strike meant to nurses in other hospitals?
SR: The nursing community views the strike favorably. Most nurses I have spoken
with went to the picket line to support Tufts nurses. We understand what it’s
like to want the best for our patients while being overworked, understaffed,
and underpaid, and understand that the decision to strike does not come
lightly. We are all waiting with baited breath for the negotiations to start
again.
EG: What way forward do you see for nurses at Tufts and elsewhere fighting for
wages, better conditions, and benefits?
SR: We need to continue to organize in our workplaces. Working people united in
struggle is what has made the most gains throughout history, and will continue
to do so.
Photo: The Boston Globe
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August 1, 2017 in Health care, Labor.
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