Grievance / Unit Updates

ICU Charge RN Arbitration Postponed for 6 weeks - Settlement Agreement Reached

The Hospital is continuing its efforts to recruit three additional clinical care coordinators for the unit. In the interim, the Hospital has agreed to provide a Charge RN and not float the nursing assistant. The clinical care coordinators will share their schedules with the unit which will enable staff RNs to appropriately balance the schedule. We will meet with management every two weeks to ensure that the terms of the agreement are being implemented.

Delegate Mary Moloney and Unit Representatives Meredith Cesa and Agata Molecka strongly represented the unit and articulated the issues facing both ICU and 7 Lachman RNs. 7 Lachman concerns were addressed in meetings with management as understaffing on 7 Lachman frequently requires ICU RNs to float there. RN’s on 7 Lachman expressed to management the untenable situation confronting their unit - constant understaffing complicated by having patients with a high acuity level. We will continue our on ongoing efforts to enforce the contract and have 7 Lachman staffed appropriately. 7 Lachman currently has three RNs on orientation.

Endoscopy Mandatory Overtime Arbitration Postponed - Settlement Agreement Reached

The Hospital has added 2 full time RN positions and has agreed to provide additional transporter and housekeeping services dedicated to the unit. They will post a voluntary overtime list early in the day when overtime is anticipated. The Hospital has also agreed that when possible, it will utilize ambulatory surgery or PACU for recovery. Lastly, they will add emergency cases after 6PM to an add-on list in the operating room on the 10th floor.

Special thanks to Delegate Erika Cooper, members Suzanne Spiegel and Rosemarie Weber and the Endoscopy RN’s who worked collectively with NYPNU’s leadership to reach a favorable outcome.

Radiology

Radiology RNs have been asked to perform non-nursing duties as a result of short staffing of Imaging Assistants on the unit. The Nurse Manager has been informed that this is in violation of the contract and we will monitor compliance.

Newly Placed NYPNU RNs

The Hospital has informed us that classes have started for the NYPNU RNs that were recently reassigned to step down and critical care units. These classes are being offered to prepare you for your new unit’s competency requirements. Please check with your nurse manager to confirm that you are scheduled to attend.

Per our contract, you are entitled to be reimbursed if your new unit requires ACLS certification.

NYPNU Retirees

Do you know any NYPNU retiree that would be interested in working for NYPNU? Please ask them to give us a call in the Union Office.

NYPNU Intern

We have an Intern joining us for this semester. He is from the City of New York Joseph Murphy Labor Institute. He will be in the cafeteria on Monday-Thursdays from 11am-1pm. If you have a question, he will document it and bring it back to us here at the union office. We will investigate your inquiry and get right back to you.

Delegate / Unit Representatives

We currently have 2 open delegate positions and open unit representative positions.

It is very important that someone from your unit take on this leadership role, especially as we are documenting all unit concerns in monthly meetings with management. Please make an appointment to see Kathrina at the union office if you are interested in filling one of these positions.

Monthly Meetings

Please see your delegate/unit representative to find out when your monthly meeting is scheduled to take place. These meetings will provide a forum to address your concerns and issues with your unit’s representatives. Following the meeting, the representatives will meet with the nurse manager to address the collective concerns of the unit. The Union hopes that increased communication with management will help to resolve some of the issues particular to your unit. These meetings are not intended to replace any regularly scheduled staff meetings.

New Oxford Cards

If you have not received your new Oxford Card, please call Oxford to request it at:

1 (800) 444 – 6222.

8 East / Lachman

On Tuesday, February 24, 2009, Vice President of Nursing Phyllis Yezzo met with staff RNs to address the concerns of their unit. Delegate Charles Kyei, Unit Representative Lisa Peters and approximately 10 other 8 East/Lachman RN’s came together in a show of unity to make management aware of the issues facing their unit including staffing concerns, throughput delays, and the necessity for a Charge Nurse.

In addition, the RNs expressed to management the need for additional equipment and increased linen for the unit. Management said they would order the requested supplies without delay. Ms. Yezzo informed the staff that the clinical care coordinator planned for the unit will facilitate unit coordination.

RNs informed management that data needs to be reviewed to facilitate earlier discharges and transfers from the unit. This would allow beds to become available earlier for new patients on a daily basis. Management spoke enthusiastically about a new bed control system that will be implemented shortly. This new system will ease throughput on all floors and increase efficiency. NYPNU will have a follow up meeting to monitor progress.

Uris Wing - 37 Bed Monitoring

We continue to monitor the 37 bed units on the Uris floors. The Hospital maintains that the census is rarely at the full compliment of 37 patients. Meanwhile, the RNs on the unit continually fax ratio violation forms to inform us that the unit is at full capacity without the proper RN complement.

With the first quarter of 2009 coming to a close, NYPNU will investigate ratio / census on the Uris floors. We will keep you updated.

Locker Grid Lock

If you have recently transferred or been reassigned to a different unit, please meet with your Nurse Manager to obtain a new locker in your area and vacate your old locker ASAP.

Bed Control New System

The Hospital is implementing a system which will facilitate discharges, admissions, and transfers by having housekeeping, transporters and bed assignments done from one computer. Centralizing the system will make operations more efficient and facilitate throughput. The new system will be introduced shortly.

In Remembrance – NYPNU Members

• George Mayo           7U/7W
• George Mayo           ER
• George Mayo           9 Uris

Three of our NYPNU Members have recently passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and co-workers during this difficult time.

Get Well Soon – Laura Cavicchi

We wish our fellow member Laura Cavicchi a heartfelt Get Well Soon from all of us at NYPNU. She was, unfortunately, seriously injured in a fire earlier this month and is currently in the hospital recovering. It is estimated that Ms. Cavicchi will be out of work for an extended period of time.

There is now a process in place whereas RNs can donate a portion of their Vacation, Holiday, or Free Time to other RNs who are seriously ill or injured and will be out for an extended period of time. If you

are interested in donating a vacation or free day to her, please stop by the Nursing Resource Office or NYPNU for an Employee Hardship Donation Form.

Correction – Sick Time Buyback –Phase 2

Last month, we reported that the 2009 sick time buy back will run until December 2009, this was an error. It will run until the expiration of our contract, which is October 31, 2009. We apologize in advance for any confusion that this may have caused.

2009 – Phase 2

For the period

January 1, 2009 – October 31, 2009, the sick time payout for those who meet the criteria will be 55.5 hours.

To be eligible in 2009, the following criteria must be met:

• An RN must have 112 sick hours of prior sick time accrual (“the bank”) as of December 31, 2008.
• An RN can use no more than 34.5 hours of sick time.
• An RN must have no unexcused absences.
• An RN cannot call in sick on any day of a week in which the RN is scheduled to work four (4) days as his/her regular schedule.
• RNs calling in sick must call (3) hours in advance of their scheduled state time.
• RNs who meet these conditions may opt to be paid out for 55.5 hours in January 2010.
• RN uses less than 34.5 hours of sick time, the difference will be placed in RNs sick bank.