Our Christmas Gift

 When I reflect on the birth of Jesus, many thoughts come to mind.  The circumstances of his birth in a stable and his need to flee with his family to a foreign country to avoid danger. There are so many parallels today. 

But what is most important to me is his decisions about how to live his life and the examples he set for me. 

He did not seek wealth or fame. He spent is public adult life with a small group of close friends, sharing friendship, food and drink with them and teaching them a gospel of love, of tolerance, and of service. He accepted the outcasts of his day, the tax collectors, the prostitutes, the sinners. He asked that these close friends spread his message. As one of his last lessons, he washed the feet of his students, showing that true leadership means service to others. 

He taught us how to live (if we pay attention to his lessons) I think that is his greatest gift to us. 

Safe staffing in Connecticut

 Over the past several months, a core group of AFT CT staff, leaders (including our AFT state and national presidents) and members have worked on safe staffing legislation here in CT. 

The short story is this- WE WERE SUCCESSFUL!

The long story is interesting and educational. 

At the beginning of the legislative session, we sat with the chairs of the Public Health Committee and presented what would become SB 1067. With their help we had a public hearing and something like 71+ members testified, submitted testimony, showed up for the press conference launching the effort, or the lobby day to push it. 

We worked with the CT Nurses Association and a grassroots nurses group, CT NU, as well legislators from both parties, the governor’s office and agency people, I cannot say enough about the commitment and expertise of AFT CT local  leaders and staff. If ever my philosophy of surrounding myself with intelligent and dedicated people was doubted, this experience should end that discussion. 

And then…

Our bill died in committee. 

The result of the work of a few non believers. 

But it was resurrected in the budget implementer, it passed with bipartisan support, and it was signed by the governor. 

It is now law. 

Staffing Committees in hospitals will no longer be something that exists only on paper. Staffing Committees will be a comprised of a majority of bedside nurses and they will determine the plan, including ratios, because they will need to develop and approve any plan. 

This legislation will increase retention, recruitment and patient safety. 

Thank you everyone who played a part.

Details can be found here. Pertinent sections are 54 & 55

SB 1067 Save Staffing Legislation

This came up as a FB memory from 9 years ago. 

Unsafe staffing is not new, it was not caused by Covid, and it is not caused by a “nursing shortage.” 

It is a result of the decisions of hospital administrators.

 The status quo is not acceptable. 

SB 1067 sets minimum staffing standards and gives hospital administrators 5 more years to hit them. Ambulances will not back up in parking lots and floors will not shut down. 

Nurses will step up, as we always have, but SB 1067 will force hospital administrators to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. 

Tell legislators to support SB1067