Bits 'N' Pieces

Pastoral Care Volunteers

Los Alamitos Medical Center announces the formation of a Pastoral Care program.  The purpose of the group will be to enhance the spiritual services currently offered and to add a community component. The program will include volunteers representing a broad array of religious faiths and cultural backgrounds. They will function as an integral part of the interdisciplinary healthcare team and will offer spiritual and emotional support in times of stress.

 “If a patient requests a Pastoral Care volunteer, we will try to match patients with a person of their own religion or belief system,” said Karen Games, RN, Senior Director of Process Improvement.  “Volunteers may read, pray, or talk with patients and their families. We are working with local clergy and are building a diverse network of volunteers.”

Training is provided as program volunteers will offer support with end of life issues, help with events such as memorial services and blessings, and participate in ethics consultations. More information is available on the hospital website (www.losalamitosmedctr.com) or you may contact Karen Games, RN at (562) 799-3284.

Bargaining Units Reach Tentative Agreement

The City of Long Beach has reached a tentative three-year agreement with the Long Beach Firefighters Association to provide for salary increases and incentives aimed at improving workforce productivity and skill levels. The agreement also includes healthcare reform provisions that will provide long-term savings to the city and an economic uncertainties clause that allows the city to re-open the memorandum of understanding (MOU) if the city faces a fiscal hardship. 

The city has also reached tentative three-year agreements with the following three miscellaneous bargaining units:

• Long Beach Association of Confidential Employees
• Long Beach Managers Association
• City Prosecutors Association

The proposed successor MOUs with these bargaining units will also be presented to city council on April 18.

The proposed compensation provisions are consistent with recent agreements reached with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). The proposed MOUs include the following major provisions:

• Four-year contract term from Oct. 1, 2015 to Sept. 30, 2019;
• 3 percent one-time lump sum payment for the first year; 
• 2 percent general salary increase for subsequent years for a total of 6 percent increase over four years;
• Reduction in Overtime Liability – Overtime will be calculated using the federal standard of hours worked only; and  
• Healthcare Reform and Economic Uncertainties provisions.

In addition, the council will consider a resolution applying the same proposed salary and benefit terms to the unrepresented miscellaneous and management employees.

Foundation Announces New Board Members

The Community Hospital Long Beach (CHLB)  Foundation announced four new board members for 2017: Nancy Eilers, David Fernandez, Bill Lorbeer and Calvin Warren.

Board chair Alan Anderson states the four new directors “bring a variety of skills, backgrounds and expertise to the board, and we are very pleased to have them join our outstanding leadership team at the foundation.”

Officers and executive committee members of the CHLB Foundation for 2017 include Alan Anderson, chairman, Ray Burton, vice chairman, Andrew Barber, treasurer and Kit Katz, secretary.  Executive committee members also include Andrea Caballero, Mary Lockington, Jan Miller and Suzanne Nosworthy.

The remaining members of the board are Beverly Cook, Bill D’Alvia, Fredy Dominguez, MJ Dornford, Dennis McConkey, Lorie Merrill, Mark Taylor and Rick Trice.