The shooting in an Atlanta hospital the day after we met with Prime management to bargain our contract is a chilling reminder of what's at stake for all of us. Does management have a responsibility to ensure that we are safe at work and that our patients are safe? The fact that we have to ask this question is a problem, but this is where Prime has brought us. In previous bargaining sessions Prime's negotiating team returned our Health and Safety proposals with whole sections crossed out, and they still haven't improved their position.

This is a huge threat to Nurses' safety, given that management has never fully addressed the violence at our hospital. The threats are not hypothetical. Nurses have already been severely injured. What's next? And who is next? That's what we're left to wonder each day we walk into work while weapons continue to enter our hospital and Prime's refusal to act leaves all of us exposed to the threat of violence.

Nurses have already been severely injured. What's next?

When will they listen to Nurses? In another corner of the Valley, Providence St. Joseph’s RNs won improvements to hospital security in their contract, because the members stood together and demanded it (there, Nursers won an authoritative committee and a commitment to install metal detectors).  And, Providence knew that Nurses were prepared to speak out to the public about threats to their safety inside the hospital. 

What will make them listen? Sign the petition in support of your bargaining team NOW to show that Nurses are united for a strong contract and RESPECT!