Contract Negotiations

Delegates and Contract Campaign Committee members have now met by clinical division in order to collectively determine the changes that we need to see in our next contract. These recommendations were then incorporated into the bargaining survey that you received in the mail. We would like to thank those of you who took the time to fill out the surveys and return them. The response rate was the highest ever. There was remarkable consistency among the survey responses. The vast majority of members considered the following to be the top priorities: 1) improving nurse/patient ratios on med/surg and intermediate/telemetry floors, 2) improving the enforceability of the ratio language, 3) maintaining current health insurance coverage with no co-pay on the premium, 4) maintaining the current defined benefit pension plan, and 5) paying out unused sick leave. Ensuring adequate support staff and increasing the shift differential also scored highly.

The bargaining committee considered this data, in combination with our grievance history and other nurses’ union contracts, to develop the proposals that we submitted to management on September 8th. The next bargaining sessions are scheduled for September 19th, 21st and 23rd. Information on our progress will be available through the delegates and contract campaign committee members. Also keep an eye out for “NYPNU Bargaining Updates.”

Nurses’ Lounge

Many nurses avoid the nurses’ lounge on the 2nd floor because of the accumulation of linen and garbage. In addition, the Hospital has raised concerns about the additional expense incurred by having so much linen out of circulation. Please be respectful of your fellow RNs and remove whatever you bring into the lounge. This is our space, and it is what we make of it.

Nurse/Patient Ratio Compliance

In response to our demands, the Hospital is aggressively recruiting new staff so that they can meet the nurse/patient ratios without relying as heavily on supplementation. Twenty new hires began orientation in September. This is in addition to 18 new hires in August and 11 in July. While the new hires are being oriented, the Hospital will continue to budget for the necessary per diems travelers and agency nurses. There are now 32 travelers on staff and 70 agency RNs have been oriented. Please do what you can to support the new hires and the supplemental staff during this transition period.

In the General Election, Vote Row E

NYPNU is one of many unions affiliated with the Working Families Party (WFP). The WFP is the fastest-growing and liveliest political party in New York, and it is using its growing power to improve the lives of union members, their families and other low, moderate and middle-income families around the state.

Remember the fight to raise the state minimum wage? Every year from 1998 to 2003, dedicated activists implored the state legislature to increase the minimum wage above $5.15 per hour. And every year, the legislature would talk and talk, but do nothing. That is until the WFP stepped up its campaign in 2004. And then the Republican-controlled state senate actually overrode the governor’s veto to enact a $2 per hour increase.

By voting for Eliot Spitzer and other WFP endorsed candidates on Row E, we send a message that our priorities are good jobs, strong schools, affordable housing and universal access to quality health care. And politicians understand that if they don’t deliver on those priorities, next time another candidate will get those votes on the WFP line. Voting WFP gives union members a way to hold politicians accountable on the issues most important to us. Vote for union power; vote Row E. Sign the Count on Me pledge at: http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/
countonme/email.html.