Ask for public support to ensure safe patient care
By Dalia Díaz
The nurses of Lawrence General Hospital walked a picket line last Thursday in front of the hospital asking for the public’s support in an effort to convince the administration to negotiate a fair contract. They have been negotiating for the last nine months with the hope that the hospital would recruit and retain the staff needed to provide the quality nursing care patients expect and deserve.
According to the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), right now, patient care is suffering because nurses are overworked due to inadequate staffing and working conditions on a number of hospital units. For example, patients in the emergency center are waiting too long for the care and attention they need due to insufficient staffing in the emergency department.
Lawrence General is an unusual hospital with a very busy emergency room. Each year, they receive 72,000 visitors and often have to scramble to find a bed before admitting a patient overnight.
Among the complaints, the union states that there are not enough nurses and the hospital should be hiring more of them. “The primary reason people are admitted to the hospital is because their condition is so severe they require around the clock attention by a registered nurse,” stated Steven Gil in a press release.
When things get hectic in the emergency room, the system allows for sending nurses from their units to help out although as part of the negotiations, the administration has offered hiring a 24/7 Rapid Response RN position and a new full-time nurse position in the Emergency Room, in addition to the 3.5 full-time positions.
Nurses are also seeking competitive salary and benefits, including improved retirement and time off benefits that support the retention of staff and foster a positive work life balance.
“The hospital has been working earnestly with the MNA to reach a fair agreement since last fall,” said Karen Moore, RN, Senior VP of Operations and Chief Nursing Officer. “Lawrence General has put forward a strong offer, with no ‘takeaways,’ adding wages, investing in staffing, improving differentials for night shift nurses and maintaining strong paid time off, education and retirement benefits.
We are committed to excellence in patient care, which includes providing excellent nursing care and a strong environment for nursing practice. Though we provide care for a disproportionately high share of publicly insured patients and our private insurance reimbursement rates are among the lowest in the state, we consider investments in our staff among our highest priorities,” added Ms. Moore.
Nurses are also seeking competitive salary and benefits, including improved retirement and time off benefits that support the retention of staff and foster a positive work life balance. The Bargaining Committee has a good package on the table with salary improvements and benefits, according to the administration.
It is believed that Lawrence General has been included in the merger of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Lahey Health, which will be the second-largest hospital system in the state and one of the most profitable. As part of that agreement, BI/Lahey has committed to invest several million dollars in LGH as a safety net provider but Karen Moore said the hospital is not receiving a financial commitment as a result of the merger.
“We urge the bargaining committee to focus on resolution at the bargaining table where much has been accomplished to achieve our mutual goals,” Ms. Moore concluded.
