ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
October 27th
Mark your calendar
and make every effort to attend.
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Grievances and Unit Issues
Despite recent negotiations that established a staffing standard for Case Managers, the Hospital has failed to comply with the contractual minimum. At the third step grievance hearing, the Hospital claimed not to understand that "staffing standard" means what it means everywhere else in the contract-a daily minimum number of employees. Since no written response to this grievance has been received, the delegates voted to take the matter to arbitration.
As noted in the August Update, the Hospital has inappropriately posted positions held by members who are on medical leave for more than six months. Despite clear contract language, the Hospital categorically denied the class action grievance. The delegates voted to take the issue to arbitration.
A class action grievance regarding chronic understaffing, failure to get breaks, and performance of non-nursing duties was heard on behalf of the 6 Uris nurses. A response was received that includes a plan to hire and improve staffing numbers. Additionally a position will be posted for a Float Ward Clerk.
A class action grievance has been filed on behalf of all RNs interested in hospital apartments. Many nurses lost their hospital apartments several years ago when LHH was unable to renew the lease on the buildings. However, LHH owns some apartments that they now claim are exclusively for Residents. The Union discovered this when a member inquired about an apartment being vacated by a fellow nurse, and the Hospital told her that nurses are no longer eligible.
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Our contract specifically states that nurses are entitled to housing provided by the Hospital, if available. As always, the Union is committed to enforcing this language.
Know Your Rights
New Nurse Managers and ADNs are being hired without receiving a proper orientation on the legal and contractual rights of NYPNU members. Do not assume that nursing supervisors are familiar with the NYPNU contract or are interpreting it properly. If you are asked to do something objectionable, check the contract yourself and, if necessary, consult a delegate. Contract enforcement is the responsibility of every Union member.
Staff/Management Committee
We are pleased to report that the policy concerning Professional Development Days has been approved. Please visit the NYPNU website to read the details and start applying for conference days! Those nurses who have already submitted requests for conference days should receive their reimbursement soon.
Nurse Practitioner Bargaining
We have successfully concluded negotiations to bring the Nurse Practitioners under the NYPNU contract. The base salary for Nurse Practitioners is now the LHH base rate plus $22,000. This increase brings their salaries into line with the NP rates in other contracts in the NY metropolitan area. Per Diem rates were also increased. Salary increases and reductions in co-payments on health insurance premiums are retroactive to 1/1/04.
Political Action
The founding of the Manhattan Chapter of the Working Families Party will be celebrated on September 30th from 6-8pm at SEIU 1199, 310 W. 43rd St., Auditorium. All NYPNU members are welcome to attend. Please contact Naomi Zauderer for further details.
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