Grievances and Unit Issues
EPS nurses collectively wrote and signed a letter to Chris Sheppard citing problems with management on the unit. Rather than address the issues raised in the letter, management terminated the only non-union employee who signed. She was soon reinstated presumably after the hospital's legal counsel informed them that even non-union employees have the right to engage in concerted activity.
A class action grievance was filed on behalf of RNs whose positions were posted after they had been out on medical leave for more than six months. The grievance was heard on August 17th, and a response is due on August 24th.
A class action grievance was filed on behalf of Case Managers concerning daily violations of the staffing standard. Negotiations to bring the Case Managers under the contract were concluded approximately 3 months ago, and the staffing standard was set at 14 per day. Since then, no more than 12 Case Managers have been scheduled to work per day. This grievance was heard on August 10th.
Nursing positions in the Recovery Room were posted simultaneously on the unit, in the Pink Sheet, and outside the hospital. The postings on the unit and in the Pink Sheet had start times that later changed. NYPNU filed a class action grievance requesting that the positions be reposted with proper clarification, and management has complied. Watch for the posting in the Pink Sheet.
A nurse was suspended pending investigation because her ID was found in close proximity to a change purse containing a suspected illegal substance. NYPNU grieved the suspension, and the nurse has been reinstated with back pay.
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Staff/Management Committee Report
The Staff/Management Committee submitted the policy on Professional Development Days (PDDs) to Chris Sheppard in June, and she reviewed it in early August. The policy will be finalized before the end of the month, and applications for PDDs will be approved retroactively going back to the beginning of the year. The next item on the committee's agenda is the definition of charge responsibilities.
Nurse Practitioner Bargaining
The next-and hopefully final-bargaining session for the Nurse Practitioners is scheduled for August 26th.
Political Action
NYPNU has endorsed the Democratic Presidential Ticket of John Kerry and John Edwards. Remember to vote! This year it's more important than ever.
NYPNU was well represented at a rally on Sunday, August 8th, protesting Gov. Pataki's veto of increasing the New York minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.15. The Assembly has already overridden the veto; the rally was held to support a Senate override.
Save the date!
The NYPNU picnic will be October 2nd. |
Offended (Appeared in AMNY, Thursday, August 5, 2004)
The nurses are not happy. An upcoming Sketchers shoe ad features Christine Aguilera in naughty nurse gear. "To depict these professionals as nothing but product-peddling, mindless sex objects is insulting to all of us who have worked so long and hard to improve the quality of health care in this country," said Maureen McCarthy, RN, President of the New York Professional Nurses Union.
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