Annual Membership Meeting
The Annual Meeting was held on Oct. 27, 2004. Among the topics discussed was the Hospital's financial condition. The Hospital anticipates a large deficit in the coming months and in response has instituted cost saving measures, including the elimination of 100 positions. No RNs were laid off, but four Pediatric nurses have taken other positions in MCH.
In response to confusion regarding the new allocation of Christmas and New Year's holidays, an explanatory memo has been distributed to the nursing units. For your convenience, we have included it on the back of this Update.
| NYPNU Pocket Calendars for 2005 are available at the Union office. |
Grievances and Unit Issues
A class action grievance was heard regarding RNs floating to the ER without appropriate orientation. The Hospital has yet to respond although the deadline was October 25th.
The Hospital has been posting members' positions if their medical leave extends beyond six months despite clear contract language entitling them to return to the same position. This issue will be arbitrated on December 8th.
A 3rd step grievance was heard concerning the Hospital's refusal to allow a nurse sent home from the ER to use sick time. She went to the ER before reporting to her unit in order to avoid exposing newborns to a potentially contagious eye infection. A response from the Hospital was due on November 3rd.
A favorable response was received from the Hospital relative to understaffing in the Cardiac OR. The Hospital has agreed to comply with the contractual staffing standard of two circulating RNs per case.
|
A favorable response was received from the Hospital regarding mandatory overtime in ASC. The Hospital has acknowledged that Ambulatory Surgery RNs should not be covering ECT patients who are admitted and treated after regular hours.
The Hospital has reactivated an old policy that requires floor nurses to fill out initial assessments on patients transferred from the ER. The ER has also been faxing reports to the floors without advance notice. NYPNU representatives are addressing these practices with nursing management.
Staff/Management Committee
The Committee is addressing the role of the charge nurse. The Committee is looking for NYPNU members interested in serving on this committee in 2005. The purpose of the committee is to facilitate proper contract implementation by making joint recommenda-tions to the Vice President of Nursing. The meetings are once per month. Please contact the NYPNU office to volunteer.
Union Participation Survey
A Cornell Ph. D. candidate is writing her dissertation on the factors contributing to union participation. NYPNU has agreed to allow her to survey the membership. Questionnaires will be sent in the mail. Please return these surveys in a timely manner to ensure the statistical validity of the research results and provide NYPNU with much needed information.
Political Action Committee
Don't give in to despair. The election is over, but the fight continues. In order to protect our patients, our rights as professionals, and the rights of all working people, we need to have a strong political voice. Call the NYPNU office to sign up for the Political Action Committee or e-mail us at nypnu@nypnu.org.
Save the Date!
The Annual Holiday Party will be at the Union Office on December 15th. |
|
