LETTER: Union not telling the whole story

I am a resident of the Enchanted Hills community and an employee at Sandoval Regional Medical Center. I am not a union member but support unions and employees' right to organize whole-heartedly. I had to the opportunity to attend the event at the HUB community center on Sept. 17. A respected colleague informed organizers that I worked in the administration department.

I wanted to understand all of the negative rhetoric that is being shared about SRMC and its leadership. The first part of the meeting was very good, very informative and neutral. There were some skewed views on patient care. I say skewed because my mother and father have been patients at the hospital and clinics since they opened and have both received continuous wonderful care. Union representatives say it is because I work here. I have only been employed at SRMC for two years; they have been patients since the hospital opened. My mother attended so she could share her story, too. I listened patiently, and then the personal attacks against the president started. I raised my hand to speak and was acknowledged; they said we have time for two more comments. Then we were told there was no more time for comments. I feel I was silenced because of my role at SRMC. My mother was furious; I was saddened and disappointed.

I want our community to know that our president has been continuously harassed by the union representatives, members and now by community members since this process began. I understand that things become heated during negotiations, but I have never seen unions personally attack the leader of an organization. Our president and chief nursing officer’s neighbors were also harassed as well. Union representatives knocked on doors informing them what horrible people they were, not supporting nurses’ rights to organize, leading to poor patient care. Flyers and signage with our president's name were plastered all over her neighborhood and the community.

At the meeting, they spoke of the use of “travelers” and how the hospital would rather pay traveling nurses than hire full time nurses. This is just not true! Every hospital had to turn to travelers because of the pandemic. We have reduced the number of travelers significantly in the time I have been here. Many travelers became full-time employees because they love the hospital.

All staff received 3% wage increases and bonuses in February, and our president received a PPC for giving them to all staff. The second increase was set for June. This time staff that were part of negotiations were left out and the union reps are demanding the increase. Union reps have walked away from the table at least three times that I am aware of; why?

Given some of the things I have seen some of the reps say and do, my recommendation to staff would be to organize but choose a union like 1199 to represent you with dignity, not tabloid fodder.

Sincerely,

Alisia Fava

A proud SRMC employee

Rio Rancho