Hospital begins recalling nurses

Staff Writer

SOUTH WILLIAMSON — With new programs and services being unveiled, Appalachian Regional Hospital officials are anxious to put the strike behind them and move forward in getting things back to normal.

South Williamson Community CEO Tim Hatfield said he is excited the nurses approved the contract to go back to work.

Overall the contract passed by a margin of 239-193. At South Williamson the vote was 34 to 15.

Wednesday, Hatfield said they were in the process of recalling the nurses based on seniority.

“Calls are being made now and will continue throughout the day,” Hatfield said.

Once they are called, Hatfield said the registered nurses have a limited amount of time to inform the company of their decision on whether or not they choose to return.

“If they are not at home when the call is made, then a message is left on their answering machine or voice mail,” Hatfield said.

On Thursday, the hospital will open its state-of-the-art OB Labor and Delivery suites and the third week in January, their Tug Valley Medical Mall will be opening in the old Magic Mart building.

“To say I’m glad the strike has been settled is an understatement,” Hatfield said. “We are also bringing in three new doctors, two OB/GYNs and a family medical physician.”

Some nurses are expected to be back on the job by Jan. 1 and all others by March.

Kathy Ford, local president of the Kentucky Nurses Association, said although the contract wasn’t everything they had hoped for, they were successful in retaining the successor and seniority clauses.

“The successor clause ensures ARH won’t try to decertify or break the union,” Ford said. “The nurses can decertify the union but ARH can’t.”

Ford explained that some of the replacement nurses and those who had crossed the picket line had started proceedings to decertify the union but had since withdrawn their petition.

Approximately 150 replacement nurses were employed by ARH during the strike.

“When the nurses are called back, if one of the replacement nurses has their job, they will have to bid on another one and maybe even another shift,” Ford said. “This is what will happen with my job. After 15 years of working at ARH, I will not return to my position in the emergency room but will have to work elsewhere in the hospital.”

The seniority clause, Ford said, can be used by the nurses to bid on jobs they want as they become available.

Ford said they were also successful in getting avenues placed in the contract which address their staffing and overtime concerns.

“We will be meeting with management on a regular basis to look at data which coves overtime and staffing.” she said.

Ford said they are unhappy that all the nurses will not be called back at once and the replacement nurses will be allowed to stay.

The strike lasted approximately three months and caused layoffs at South Williamson and Beckley, W.Va. A medical floor was also closed at Beckley ARH.

Hatfield said once the patient volume increases, they will begin to recall clerical and service personnel who have been laid off.