NurseWeek

Colorado nurses postpone union vote

By Tonie Auer
September 10, 2000


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Denver. More than 800 nurses at St. Anthony North and Central Hospitals indefinitely postponed a union vote last month because of concerns about patient care ranging from faulty equipment to inadequate staffing, said Beverly Basarich, RN, of St. Anthony Central.

"We postponed the vote because the consultants the hospital hired are causing tension and confusion in the hospital at this time," Basarich said. "Many of the nurses feel that because we are getting new equipment that management is now listening. From past experience, I can’t see that the hospital will continue without outside pressures." The nurses still may consider unionization, Basarich said.

The hospitals were not in favor of nurse unionization because "we don’t believe it is the right way to bargain," a hospital spokeswoman said.

"We applaud each one of the nurses – including those who brought the issue of unionization forward … their energy and enthusiasm will help us embrace the challenges ahead in a proactive and constructive manner," said Matt Fulton, CEO of St. Anthony Hospitals.