HCA

2008 National Nurses Recognition Week

National Nurses Recognition Week is observed every year in the month of May. This year's theme is Nurses: Making a Difference Every Day.

National Nurses Week was first observed in 1954 from October 11 through October 16. The year 1954 was the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's mission in the Crimean War. At the time, the observation had not yet been declared by a proclamation of the President or the U S Congress.

In 1974, the International Council of Nurses declared May 12 as International Nurse Day. President Nixon declared a National Nurse Week, without a specific timeframe. From 1978 to 1981, various states named their own official recognition days of May 6. In 1982, May 6 became nationally recognized by proclamation from President Reagan as National Recognition Week for Nurses, and in 1993, that week was declared to be from that date to May 12 (Florence Nightingale's birthday) every year.

http://www.nursingworld.org/

Loretta van der Pol
Senior Labor Representative
(714) 835-3355

March 28, 2008

After meeting over three months, HCA made the decision on March 27, 2008, to eliminate the 9/80 work schedule in Juvenile Health. All impacted employees will be transitioned to the 5/40 work schedule in early May. Juvenile Health includes Juvenile Hall, the camps, and Orangewood Children's Home.

Added to the March 27, 2008, meet-and-confer on Juvenile Health 9/80 work schedules was the issue of the Juvenile Health nurses at the camps having lost their 9/80 work schedules "incrementally" dating back to 2003. OCEA's first notice of this issue was in February 2008, when research was being done on the larger issue, at which time a meet-and-confer demand was issued. On March 27, HCA management acknowledged that it had failed to meet this obligation and apologized. OCEA advised the agency that it would consider whether or not any additional action was necessary.

During the week of March 27, 2008, OCEA was made aware of the clerical staff in Juvenile Health losing the 9/80 work schedule approximately two months ago. A meet and confer demand was issued. A meeting date is pending.

Loretta van der Pol
Senior Labor Representative
(714) 835-3355

Attention Health Care Agency Employees

In January, 2008, a new protocol (policy) was introduced in Public Health titled "Quality Assurance Audit for Field Workers." This policy was unilaterally implemented by HCA without notifying OCEA and requesting that we meet and confer. Employees working in the affected area contacted OCEA and HCA agreed to suspend the policy until such time as we have met and conferred in good faith.