Union’s telemarketing effort angers legislator

Wednesday, March 31, 1999 | 12:11 p.m.

Assemblywoman Kathy Von Tobel, R-Las Vegas, says the Nevada Service Employees Local 1107 made recorded calls to constituents on AB586, requiring the state Board of Health to set staffing ratios at hospitals for nurses and other personnel.

Von Tobel said the automated calls, which began late last week, have included alarming and frightening messages.

One message said if her constituents don't call and support the bill, they could die if they have to go to the hospital, she said.

People who get the calls are then asked to press a button that automatically forwards them to a message center at the Legislature that's set up to take calls from those interested in bills.

Von Tobel said the calls from her constituents - who by that time are either angry, confused or frightened - are then routed to her office.

Von Tobel labeled the effort "scare tactics" and said it won't help the union's efforts to get its bill through the Legislature.

But Tom Beatty, executive director of the union, said the quality-of-care issue addressed in the bill is vital to all Nevadans and warrants the telephone alert.

"If it is bothersome to some lawmakers, so be it," he said. "A lot of people called their lawmakers in response to the message they received. We had a good response. We believe the quality-of-care act and the staffing issues the bill addresses are issues that are vital to the community."

Beatty said the message, which has been discontinued, should help turn out a crowd when the bill comes up for a hearing in the Assembly Health and Human Services Committee.