Grievances and Unit Issues
Did you know that you can no longer dial 911 from a hospital telephone? This, combined with the Hospital's generally dismissive attitude towards RN safety and security, has led the Union to file a grievance against management for their inappropriate and ineffective handling of these matters. After receiving management's denial of the grievance, the delegates voted to take the issue to arbitration.
At last the Hospital is bringing the staffing level in the ER up to 10 RNs per shift as they agreed to do in contract negotiations. The additional positions are now posted in the Pink Sheets; ACP/overtime and supplemental staff will be used until the new staff are on board. For regular staff RNs in the rest of the Hospital, this should mean less floating to the ER.
Staff Management Committee
Chair people, members, and alternates have been selected. However, the committee has not met yet due to the Hospital's inability to release staff nurses who need to attend. The first meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 12 at 11:00am.
E-mail message from former NYPNU member Scott Dibling (received on 1/28/04)
Thank you for all you've done for us. I moved to Ohio a year ago. You would not believe how different the state of nursing is here. I feel like a peasant, and I work in a union hospital with a "one size fits all" union: nurses, housekeepers, techs, all under one union. You really represent nurses and insure a quality environment and compensation package. It does not exist here. I really miss nursing in New York and your earnest representation.
|
|
Per Diems
For those who have not yet done so, all per diems are required to sign membership applications/dues authorization cards. If you have not received a card in the mail, please contact the Union office. If there is any question or problem regarding your payroll deduction, please notify payroll and the Union office.
Case Managers
NYPNU has met with and is gathering information from the case managers in order to effectively negotiate their pay scale and identify issues unique to their practice.
Nurse Practitioners
NYPNU continues to meet with the Hospital regarding inclusion of the Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in the current collective bargaining unit. We are asking for card check recognition for the Neonatal Nurse Practitioners and want to ensure that NPs who are hired in the future retain the right to join NYPNU. We hope to reach an agreement with the Hospital by the middle of February.
Floating
You are not required to float outside your clinical division. On occasion, the scheduling office has decided to ignore the clear terms of the contract and insist that a nurse float outside her clinical division or face being disciplined. This is a blatant violation of the contract. Please contact your delegate or the union office immediately if this problem occurs on your unit.
If you sign up for voluntary overtime on your unit you may be required to float to another unit within your clinical division. You do not have a contractual right to go home in lieu of floating. Please be aware that you may cancel overtime by calling in at least 2 ½ hours prior to the start of the shift.
New TV in Nurses' Lounge
NYPNU has purchased a new TV for the Nurses' Lounge, and it should arrive shortly.
|
