Nurses at two hospitals can seek union representation

Thursday, Feb. 15, 2001 | 11:49 a.m.

Calling it an "unprecedented agreement in health care," the California Nurses Association has entered into a contract with the parent company of the two local St. Rose hospitals that increases the opportunity for union representation.

The pact was signed between the San Francisco-based CNA, the largest registered nurse union in California with 35,000 nurses, and Catholic Healthcare West, the largest Catholic health care system in the nation with 47 hospitals and five medical groups.

The accord will increase the opportunities for a labor union at the St. Rose Dominican hospital campuses in Henderson, where 711 registered nurses are employed in a bedside treatment capacity.

CHW spokeswoman Lori Aldrete in San Francisco said today that to date there has been no organizing activity at either of the St. Rose Dominican campuses.

"We would like to have a direct relationship with our employees, but if they want representation, this will allow them greater access to the California Nurses Association than under a typical National Labor Relations Board election," Aldrete said.

If 30 percent of the nurses request representation, an election would be conducted, Aldrete said.

The contract sets guidelines for behavior during organizing campaigns, provides assurances for the rights of registered nurses to be represented regardless of citizenship or immigration status, and allows for an expedited process for conducting private representation elections by a third party.