My Fellow CRONA Nurses,

Contract negotiations this year have been challenging for all of us. The changes that the hospitals have proposed to our contract would have the most far-reaching effects on our benefits and working conditions of any in the history of CRONA.

Over the last year, despite the stress and uncertainty of the negotiations, we continued to provide the level of care to our patients that has made Stanford and Packard hospitals world famous. We also supported each other through this difficult period, and this same support will enable us to move forward and face the uncertainties ahead.

A few members have raised questions about the recent voting process that I would like to answer with the goal of helping us focus on what lies ahead. The Tentative Agreement that the Negotiating Team decided to present for a vote posed a difficult choice for our members. As we explained at the 12 meetings we held, the proposed contract was the best we felt we could get from the hospitals. Accepting it would produce sweeping changes in our working conditions, while rejecting it might lead to the same or a worse result. It was for that reason that, as in 2000, CRONA did not make a recommendation and left it up to each of you to vote your conscience.

The meetings we held produced spirited discussions about the Tentative Agreement. As we explained to everyone, our By-Laws require a majority of the ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP to vote “yes” on a proposed contract in order for it to be approved. Therefore, we strongly and repeatedly urged everyone to cast a vote, since the failure to vote is “no” vote.

Despite some false rumors that are being circulated by certain managers, the number of nurses who voted was not below 50%. In fact, the participation rate was similar to that in past votes on tentative agreements. The process and time lines we followed were dictated by our Bylaws and past practices, and have been in place for many years. As we previously notified you, the Tentative Agreement failed 54% to 46%.

This is the decision of our membership. We should not now question how many nurses voted, or how many of those who did not vote did so intentionally so that they would be counted as a “no” vote. The fact is that we have long-standing rules, and we must accept the decision made by our peers pursuant to those rules. We cannot let anyone attempt to divide us. We must move forward together as a union to improve our nursing practice and working conditions.

The months ahead are uncertain. We have communicated with the hospitals and are awaiting their reply. The CRONA Executive Board, Negotiation Committee and Team, all of whom are bedside nurses like you, will work even harder in the coming year to reach an agreement that is satisfactory to all parties concerned.

I want to thank all the members of the CRONA Executive Board, the Negotiation Committee and Team for their extraordinary efforts this past year, and thank every nurse for your continued support of our organization, CRONA. May you and your families have a safe holiday season and a healthy and joyous New Year.

Sincerely,
Lorie Johnson
President
CRONA