Appeals wrote on Dec 2, 2008 7:43 PM:Well, two new members for Comedy shop night at TCMC. They promised change, but so did the Governator. With our state being bankrupt, lets see if the new board follows the same path!

yes for bonus bond wrote on Dec 2, 2008 7:59 PM:union rules,hey everyone lets pass the bonus/ union bond

Preserve wrote on Dec 2, 2008 8:23 PM:Only a matter of time before the financial crisis begins. Its a running theme anywhere the union gets positions.

Bummer wrote on Dec 2, 2008 8:43 PM:There is something terribly wrong with this picture. We have all seen how the unions brought down the auto industry. Health care is in enough of a pickle without a board bought and paid for by a union. For anyone with any intelligence, enough said. It never ceases to amaze me how little the voting community knows about the people they elect.

I wrote on Dec 2, 2008 9:03 PM:Hate Unions!

What have you done for me lately wrote on Dec 2, 2008 9:06 PM:Charlene,
A minority of workers say there is a staffing shortage at TCMC because they are now having to actually work their entire shifts. I hope you will use data to "get to the bottom" of the staffing issue, because the people who really do the work at TCMC do a great job and the data shows it. Some of us are sick of the lazy ones telling the public we have poor patient care when the data shows just the opposite. We are also tired of "carrying" them while they complain instead of doing what they are paid to do. Just like at GM, there were a lot of people taking a free ride at TCMC until staffing adjustments were made. Now they are whining for someone to "bail them out" of having to do a full days work. You will be one of the people they will whine to. Be careful what you give them, because you now also have financial responsibility as a Board member. Whatever you give them won't be enough. Their cry will be "We paid for you to be elected, what have you done for us lately." Load TCMC up with extra staff and it will go down the tubes financially regardless of how many managers you get rid of. This is one of the toughest markets in the country. I hope you are up to the job. Good Luck.

FOR TOO LONG wrote on Dec 2, 2008 9:38 PM:hospital employees endorsed these winning candidates because something has to change at TCMC. For too long management has cut staff with one hand and asked for bonuses with the other. For too long the CEO has hired outside groups to do his job. For too long the old board of directors rubber stamped management's bad ideas. If the union helped bring change to this board then G-D bless 'em for it. Now the real work begins.

love wrote on Dec 2, 2008 9:40 PM:to the person that "hates unions". remember that the union is and cannot be anything more than the workers at Tri-City. Without them, no union, no hospital. Try hating things less, it's bad for your heart.

Charlene wrote on Dec 2, 2008 11:25 PM:I do not believe that RN's and CNA's and Surgical Techs are lazy or lie about working conditions. I wish to see workers and management working together to come to agreement about staffing issues. Experience has shown me that all units have different issues so perspectives differ. It has not been a minority of staff who have complained of poor staffing, quite the contrary. In 38 years I've met few lazy people who work in hospitals. I assure you, I make my own decisions in the light of day. The union supported me because we agree on patient care issues. Good choice for them. The people elected me because I spent every weekend since June out talking to them. I will continue to talk to them. I am a voice for the people of this community who supported me, all of them, not just union members. I have a duty to them all and I take it seriously. Thanks for the wish of good luck! Oh, and lots of voters had faith that I am up to this job! I will do my best to prove them right and make TCMC a better hospital. I sincerely wish to bring good changes to TriCity as I sit on this board!!

JoeHillsGal wrote on Dec 2, 2008 11:35 PM:I wonder if you who hate unions have ever been in one? I wonder if you have ever worked an understaffed pediatric unit where there is not sufficient equipment and no back up. I wonder if you've ever had to watch a kid have a terrible outcome because an overly busy nurse had to choose between the lesser of two evils and gave the only monitoring equipment available to another patient. The nurses are too tired from fighting these battles to also fight management. The union looks out for them, makes sure they get breaks, equitable pay and gives them a forum to voice their expert opinion. They are the experts at the bedside and if they want a union, more power to them. Unions don't bankrupt businesses, greedy CEO's do that.

Supernurse wrote on Dec 2, 2008 11:41 PM:Middle ground? More like quicksand! We are sinking in the trenches at TCMC. I hope this new board can help us! BTW the bonus is not part of our compensation package that we were told about when we were hired. It is a "bonus". Now I like my money, like the other guy, however, in these troubled times it doesn't make sense to pay out so much in bonuses.

RG wrote on Dec 3, 2008 6:40 AM:Unions are a good thing. Hopefully they can help with the TCMC issues at hand

To love wrote on Dec 3, 2008 6:40 AM:Unions had their place back in the day, but have long since outlived their usefulness. Tri City would be better off without them (as would every other industry they've got their hooks into).

DOWN WITH UNIONS

Just wondering wrote on Dec 3, 2008 7:10 AM:If unions have long since outlived their usefulness, why is that? Is it because working conditions have improved? Why is that: UNIONS. Is it because laws were enacted to protect workers? Why is that: UNIONS. Is it because management has seen the light and will always treat their employees fairly and with dignity, offering fair wages for fair work? No, and that's why unions are still needed.

One Answer wrote on Dec 3, 2008 7:32 AM:Remember - Always remember - No matter where and why you are voting - VOTE THE INCMUBENT OUT... Even if it is a Union election - VOTE THE INCUMBENT OUT... The only way to prevent the PACs and other interest groups from any type of influence -- VOTE THE INCUMBENT OUT !!! The time has come to have any elected post become a civic duty... Support the proposal to make elected officials - the same as jury duty...

Unions help wrote on Dec 3, 2008 7:37 AM:There is nothing at all wrong with unions, they help the little guy. Unions represent all the employees and people that need their help.

Unions just get a bad rep because of the media, but their goal is to help and represent the unappreciated. I for one welcome this move and wish more union people would represent the people.

Just a Question wrote on Dec 3, 2008 8:16 AM:If you could receive a bonus for reducing staffing, what would you do?

Its all part of the balance wrote on Dec 3, 2008 8:28 AM:I hope all remember the pendulum swings both ways and it is only a problem if it swings to far one way or the other. I am pleased that Horton did not win, that would have been a disaster.2vgt8

Think Healthcare wrote on Dec 3, 2008 9:37 AM:costs are high now? Look what the great Unions have done to the Auto Industry. Oh well Obama is going to Nationalize healthcare to take care of his union buddies anyway. Hold on taxpayers!

UNIONS GOOD AND BAD wrote on Dec 3, 2008 9:46 AM:To JoeHillsGal, I spent 5 years in a union, some things were good some were very bad, bunch of thugs. Say the wrong thing and get a mouth full of fist. The rep through the punch at me but missed. However I would suport a union,but a union should not be in control of the company. A union can do as much damage as any CEO. maybe more. Push for higher and higher wage and benefits and watch your job go overseas, where are the workers gain then.

Lets make a change wrote on Dec 3, 2008 10:17 AM:Let's all work together to promote our wonderful hospital. Our mission is much greater than some of the issues brought up here. We the employees, physicians, and the leadership are here for our patients and our community.

Together our contributions can truly impact the health and wellbeing of our friends in this community. It’s my hope with the new Board members we can all take a breath and call this a new day. We have an immense and yet very rewarding challenge ahead of us to keep this hospital as great as it is today and for the next 50 years.

It’s time for even the nay sayers of Tri City to join us and support the hospital. Even if you use another facility you or you’re loved ones may come to our Emergency Department in a time of critical need. Please help us help you by supporting our goals aspirations.

I am very proud to work for Tri City and I feel each and every day our employees and physicians care for our community with some of the best healthcare in all of San Diego.