Jackson – As reported last Friday, about 20 “non-professional” nurses, pharmacists and family members picketed in front of Sutter Amador Hospital on November 6th to draw attention to union contract negotiations under way later that day. Theresa Talbert, a critical care registered nurse at the hospital, said the 100-plus employees considered “non-professional” by their parent union, the Service Employees International Union, are members of its subgroup, the United Healthcare Workers West union. Talbert said they are not on strike but rather holding an informational picket, to tell people that they have not had a contract in almost 2 years. She said UHW workers and family stood on the picket starting at 7 a.m. and were wrapping up the demonstration at 10 a.m. UHW includes registered nurses or workers from physical therapy, medical surgery, critical care and pharmacy. Talbert said they are “just trying to get a completed contract” and they think the hospital is “stalling.” She was going to negotiations later that day at the Holiday Inn Express, with UHW members from Sutter Amador Hospital, RN Debbie Cheney, pharmacist Todd Berg and union representative Beth Haddorf. They would be negotiating with the corporate representative. She said they have had a lot good contract language added, but differ in raises. Talbert said workers are seeking a 4 percent raise, while Sutter Amador Hospital is offering a 1.25 percent increase, a 2.25 percent increase for RNs, and a 20-cent raise for physical therapists, which she said is “quite insulting.” She said the Jackson workers’ wages are 14-18 percent below much of Northern California counterparts at other hospitals. She said Mark Twain Hospital’s similar workers earn only 6-9 percent more that the Jackson workers. Talbert said: “Even if we get what we’re asking for, which is 4 percent, we’re still not ahead of anybody.” She said it is hard to keep people at the Jackson hospital, and using substitutes “puts patients at risk.” Sutter Amador Hospital CEO Ann Platt said she was disappointed that the union members did not give the hospital 10 days’ notice that they were going to picket, as required, so the hospital can notify the authorities, employees and patients. Platt said they have been in negotiations since June, and have had 7 sessions since then. They also meet twice more this month. Platt said raise offers are “not quite so significant this year,” due to the economic climate. She said the hospital is very committed to working with the SEIU’s UHW workers. Platt said: “We certainly value our employees and want to make sure that we meet their needs.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.