First Bargaining Session Set for April 11

After 4 1/2 years of CHS refusing to recognize and bargain with HPAE Local 5142 at the hospital, we have our first two negotiating dates confirmed. We will be meeting with management representatives April 11 and 18 to begin negotiating our first contract.

There are seven nurses on the Local 5142 negotiating committee. The committee is led by Pam Thomas, joined by Denise Abbott, Patrice Sharkey, Rick Shoulders, Cynthia Carter, Cynthia Boccuto and Linda Harmon.

Going into bargaining, our key issues – based on the surveys returned by nurses – are staffing, patient safety, the cost of health insurance and wages.