| NYPNU MEMBERS: PLEASE PICK UP A COPY OF OUR CONTRACT TODAY. READ IT. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! |
Grievances and Unit Issues
Since SICU RNs reunited with MICU RNs on 7 East, multiple ICU RNs are floating on a daily basis, and some have been required to float outside their Clinical Division. This is in flagrant violation of the contract. Union leadership and management have met to discuss several solutions suggested by NYPNU members, including allowing nurses to use their accrued time, temporary reassignment to cover nurses who are on leaves of absence, and reduction of hours. Management has so far failed to utilize any of the suggested remedies. In fact a nurse was recently threatened with suspension by an ADN when she refused to float outside of her division. Within hours, the Union had filed a class action grievance.
The contract specifically prohibits management from requiring nurses to float outside their clinical division. Should you be instructed to float outside your division, you may refuse. If such a refusal results in disciplinary action or the threat of disciplinary action, please contact a delegate and/or the NYPNU office immediately. Your rights under our contract will be vigorously defended.
At present there are four outstanding class action grievances regarding breaks (hospital-wide), nurse/patient ratios (Cardiac OR), mandatory overtime (ASC), and floating (MICU/SICU). Management has yet to schedule the third step hearing for any of these grievances. NYPNU will continue to press for appropriate resolution and insist upon compliance with our contract.
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A Nurse in the ER who had been suspended was reinstated with full back pay after an investigation failed to support the allegations made.
A Med/Surg nurse was similarly suspended pending investigation into a narcotics discrepancy involving the Omnicell system. Although the cause of the discrepancy remains unclear, the member was reinstated. Members continue to report problems with the Omnicell system, such as counting errors made when the machines are restocked.
Staff/Management Committee Report
The proposed policy for Professional Development Days was submitted last month to Chris Sheppard for approval. We are still waiting for a response.
Membership Survey
The delegates agreed to allow a PhD candidate at Cornell to survey our membership as part of her dissertation research. Members will receive a questionnaire regarding their willingness to exercise their rights and their participation in the Union. All responses will be anonymous. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
An Appeal from our Allies at the "$5.15 Is Not Enough" Campaign
With enough pressure, this could be the year that Albany finally passes a minimum wage increase. Call Governor George Pataki at 518-474-8390. The message is the same - a higher minimum wage must be passed this year. If you have a Republican State Senator, call him/
her as well - you can find the phone number at http://www.515isnotenough.net/ main_involved.htm. If you want to help even more, go to www.515isnotenough.org right now and enter the emails of ten of your friends and coworkers.
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