New Delegates
New delegates were formally appointed and welcomed. They are:
Lynda Briard (5 Uris)
Clara Lopez (ER)
Terry Boiko (Per Diem, OR) |
Grievances and Unit Issues
Staffing and break coverage continue to be problems on 5 Uris and 5 Lachman. Staff members are either not getting breaks at all, due to low staffing, or breaks are being covered by junior staff members new to the floor. The first meeting to address these issues has occurred with more to follow.
Staffing in the ER remains an issue. Pursuant to the recently concluded contract negotiations, the daily staffing level should be 10 nurses. While the new nurse/patient ratios are not enforceable until January 1, 2005, management signed a side letter in which they committed to make every effort to come into compliance with the ratios immediately. Nevertheless RNs scheduled for overtime in the ER are currently being cancelled or floated if their presence in the ER would bring the staffing level up to 10. The Union is demanding that management honor their side letter and take immediate action to end the unsafe conditions in the ER.
Some extra holiday shifts on 4 Lachman/4 East were not fairly and equitably distributed on the basis of seniority. A grievance was filed, and the situation is being remedied. All staff are reminded to submit a balanced schedule. If a schedule is balanced, managers do not have the right to change it.
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Extra holidays are to be split between the eve and the day with each nurse from the most senior on down being given her choice until the supply of extra shifts has been depleted.
The scheduling of per diem nurses in EPS has resulted in nurse/patient ratio violations both before and after the per diems' shifts. This situation is being addressed.
Getting It Right!
Members have complained regarding errors by the Nursing Office personnel. Sick calls are not recorded properly; overtime shifts are disregarded or missed, etc. It is essential that RNs note the name of the person to whom they speak when calling the Nursing Office. This is the only way to pinpoint the problem and address the various errors in staffing and distribution of VHF time.
Staff/Management Committee
Pursuant to contract negotiations, a Staff/Management Committee is being formed to address a variety of issues, including implementation of contract provisions, staffing, breaks, and clinical issues on various units. Specific unit problems should be addressed to the committee members who are:
Roy Milbouer (Cath Lab) co-chairperson
Kathie Reid (MCH) co-chairperson
Mary Moloney (MICU)
Clara Lopez (ER)
Lynda Briard (5 Uris)
Diane Schulman (4 Wollman)
The committee will meet on a monthly basis with an equal complement of management personnel.
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