Los Alamos nurses vote to unionize

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_7883855

The Associated Press
Article Launched: 01/04/2008 04:42:29 PM MST

LOS ALAMOS, N.M.—Nurses at Los Alamos Medical Center have voted to unionize.

The nurses have a right to be a part of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, said Beth Spiers, a union organizer and a nurse at the northern New Mexico hospital.

"Our goal is quality patient care and improved nurse benefits and retention," said Spiers, who has been working at the hospital for the past year after being recruited by its hiring agents.

Los Alamos Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Sandra Podley said the hospital is disappointed that the nurses selected a third party to represent them but that the hospital respects their right to do so.

The vote to unionize was taken in November, and Podley said the hospital soon will be sitting down with union representatives to begin contract negotiations.

Podley said the hospital focuses on improving quality every day and that she and her staff have worked hard to establish one of the best nurse-patient ratios in the region.

FULL story at link.

[midnight]

1. The Hospital is disappointed that the nurses selected a third

party to represent them. Isn't that just flabbergasting? Now those nurses will be getting some consideration the likes of which the hospital never had to entertain.

[Captain Angry]

2. I don't think a union will protect those jobs.

If LANL folds, there won't be anybody in town to go to the medical center.

That town is dying. Can't get new businesses in there because the few people that own the land in town charge through the nose.

Such a pretty place too.