HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0582.012 1996-1998 Dear Chair and Members of the County Council, poi, ~ ;~~Y--"'°"""°°y
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(AUII}Y COlFf1G1~
This is a letter of support for our brothers and sisters in collective
bargaining units 3 & 4, from the Registered Nurses of the Big Island and the
State of Hawaii (Unit 9). We call upon the Hawaii County Council to fund
the contracts achieved by both sides (management and labor) during good
faith negotiations.
To say that refusing to fund this contract is a method of sending a
message, as some councilpersons have, is correct. However, nurses are not
sure what the message is and to whom it is being sent. Some even wonder
that perhaps a phone conversation, a written letter, or a conversation with the
affected parties might be a better place to start. Communication is a skill
nurses must develop if one is to do a good job. Our clientele, like yours,
must consent to participate in the work we do. Good communication relies
partly on timing. Even the most effective communication methods fail if
timing is wrong. Don't try teaching the importance of preventative health
after the patient has been wheeled into the morgue. Issuing orders and fiats
is seldom an effective way to accomplish the best for our clients. Please
give this some thought as you prepare to make decisions like the one before
you today.
Nurses recognize the importance of units 3 and 4 workers to enable
nurses to accomplish the healing of our patients. Though we are important
to patients, we can't do our job if; the 911 operator doesn't make the call to
the ambulance, the highways are blocked, or if we don't have the necessary
supplies from central supply. The current public worker system has been
streamlined and trimmed many times over the last few years. Refusing to
fund any part of the public worker contracts affects us all in our abilities to
do our jobs.
School will not start on time next fall if you refuse to fund this contract.
To those of you rejecting this contract, it would appear that all you can see is
money out of the budget. To many workers, it means additional days at
work, away from; their family, their second job, and their personal life.
Please take time to realize and fully understand what you are voting on
today. Then vote to fund the lawfully negotiated contracts for Units 3 & 4.
Sincerely, ~ ~
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Ret. I~be DEC 17 199„.`