OCTOBER 2018
A NEWSLETTER FOR NYSNA RNs AT ERIE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER
ECMC Nurses Get Ready to Bargain!
Committee and our union. Murnita Bennett, RN, an Executive Committee member and long-time union activist reflected on the change.
With our contract set to expire at the end of the year, ECMC nurses have been hard at work getting ready to bargain.
“Our union is over 1,000 nurses strong—we’re stronger than we’ve ever been before,” explained Murnita. “It’s exciting that more people are taking on leadership roles, especially the younger members who are coming in and learning really quickly what the union is all about. Everyone will have a task to do in bargaining, and we expect to be able to circulate updated information to members very quickly.”
We launched a bargaining survey on October 10, and Delegates and NYSNA Reps have been collecting surveys on each unit. In order to know what our bargaining priorities are, we need to get as broad a sample of surveys as possible. Please do your part by completing a survey and turning it in as soon as possible. On October 10, our Executive Committee met and began discussing how to involve committee members, floor delegates and members in bargaining a new contact. We discussed the need for a strong set of demands and good communication on each unit to keep members informed and engaged in the process. In the last few years, ECMC nurses elected new leaders, who have brought a new energy to our Executive
In addition to turning in surveys, members should stay tuned for information about upcoming membership meetings and negotiation dates. Murnita Bennet, RN concluded, “My hope for bargaining is that we’re treated fairly, and that we’re treated like the professionals we are. Our Executive Committee is ready to go. Some of management’s team is also new and bargaining for the first time—we hope that they’re getting trained and ready to bargain, too.”
WE ARE NURSES, WE ARE NYSNA!
“As part of bargaining at ECMC, we have already started meeting to discuss our issues and priorities,” said Tamara Barr, RN. “As a Delegate, I’m happy to facilitate these conversations among even more nurses from throughout Western New York. People seem really excited to come up with resolutions that will help us protect our patients and deliver the best care possible.”
Western New York Nurses Unite! Dozens of nurses from ECMC, Terrace View Long Term Care, and the Erie, Livingston, and Allegany County Health Departments gathered on October 15 for an Inter-regional meeting to share updates and strategies to strengthen our profession. Chiqkena Collins, RN, ECMC Delegate and NYSNA Western Regional Director began the meeting by giving a short overview of NYSNA’s history and the direction we are moving as a union. “I’m looking forward to seeing democracy in action at the next NYSNA Convention,” said Chiqkena Collins, RN. “For the first time, we’ll be making decisions alongside Delegates from every part of the state, which is so exciting and will make us a stronger force.” Tamara Barr, RN a critical care nurse at ECMC led the conversation about what to expect at NYSNA’s first delegated convention.
Pat Kane, RN and NYSNA Board Treasurer traveled to Buffalo to attend the meeting, hear from the candidates, and give an update about the Resolutions that will be voted on at Convention. “People really appreciated seeing the Convention Resolutions ahead of time, so they have an opportunity to discuss the issues and bring it back to their colleagues,” explained Pat Kane, RN. “I was excited to be part of this meeting and this transformation that’s happening in our union. It’s clear that the Western New York nurses are engaged in their facilities and in their communities. They have done a great job organizing around issues and have really gained the respect and admiration of elected officials and candidates.” Several elected officials who are running for re-election attended the Inter-regional meeting and spoke of their commitment to helping nurses care for their patients and communities. State Senator Tim Kennedy of District 63, Assembly Member Sean Ryan of District 149, and Assembly Member Monica Wallace of District 143 all shared their support for the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act and other nurse priorities.
Vote on November 6 The midterm elections will shape the lives of nurses, our patients and our communities for years to come—they’re just too important to sit out. Visit http://www.elections.ny.gov/ to find your polling site, learn about voting by absentee ballot, and more. ENDORSEMENTS: Your October NY Nurse Special Edition Voter Guide contains more information, including a list of NYSNA-endorsed candidates in your area! Visit: https://issuu.com/nystatenursesassociation/docs/nynurse_oct_ westernreg1
A Newsletter for NYSNA RNs at Erie County Medical Center
OCTOBER 2018
Q: How has being a NYSNA member helped you? Ask a Nurse: Chiqkena Collins, RN
Q: How long have you been a nurse? I’ve been a nurse for eight years. I started at ECMC and have worked in several units—now I’m in the MICU.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about being a nurse?
I think being a patient advocate is my favorite thing. I love seeing patients come in sick, and then being part of their healing, and advocating for their safety, health and the best treatment and care for them.
Q: When did you first get involved with NYSNA? I got involved about two years ago, because I wanted to see change in my facility and knew my voice alone wouldn’t do it. I knew joining with my NYSNA sisters and brothers would give us the power to make a change.
It’s pushed me to be a better bedside nurse and a better advocate for my patients. We serve a marginalized community at ECMC, and becoming more politically active helped me realize that NYSNA nurses speak up for these communities like nobody else! The more involved I got, the more honored I felt to take part in an organization that is doing this work. Also, we’re starting bargaining now, and we’re going to see better benefits, retirement, and insurance. My family will be able to live better because of NYSNA, because we can negotiate better contracts.
Q: There’s a movement in this country to reduce
the power, the wages, and the rights of working people—the Supreme Court Janus case was part of this attack. Why should nurses care about this, and what do you think we should do to fight back to protect our jobs and our union? Nurses should care because too many people in elected office and in hospital corporations don’t care. They see our patients as dollars signs, and they see us as interchangeable workers, not as people with families. NYSNA helps makes us and our patients be seen as human beings. I think the people and corporations who brought the Janus case underestimated how strong we are. There’s no law or no Supreme Court decision that could break a union as strong as NYSNA. We must continue to strategize and be empowered and vocal.
Know Your Rights: Weingarten Rights Under the Supreme Court’s Weingarten decision, when an investigatory interview occurs, the following rules apply:
RULE 1 The employee must make clear request for union representation before or during the interview. The employee cannot be punished for making this request.
RULE 2 After the employee makes the request, the Employer must choose from among three options. The Employer must either: • • •
Grant the request and delay questioning until the Union representative arrives and has a chance to consult privately with the employee; or Deny the request and end the interview immediately; or Give the employee a choice of (1) having the interview without representation or (2) ending the interview.
RULE 3 If the Employer denies the request for Union representation and continues to ask questions, it commits an unfair labor practice and the employee has a right to refuse to answer. The Employer may not discipline the employee for such a refusal. If you are called into a meeting where you believe discipline may happen, or if you have any questions about your rights, contact your Delegate or your NYSNA Representative.
UPCOMING EVENTS (For more information or to register, ask your NYSNA Rep)
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NYSNA CONVENTION December 7 & 8, NYC
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WESTERN NY INTER-REGIONAL December 12, Buffalo
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MEDICAL MISSION TO INDIA January 21 - 29, India
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MEDICAL MISSION TO PHILIPPINES February 26 - March 6, Philippines
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MEDICAL MISSION TO GUATAMALA March 27 - April 3, Guatamala
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MEDICAL MISSION TO BRAZIL April 23 - May 9, Brazil
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2019 SEMINAR AT SEA May 12-19, Spain
Save the Date: NYSNA Convention December 7 & 8, 2018 RSVP to: mcp@nysna.org
Executive Committee Kevin Donovan, Vice Co-Chair, 7 Zone 4 Cathy Bystrak, Grievance Chair, 6 North Lynne Roland, Terrace View Co-Chair, Cazenovia Karen Green, Terrace View Vice Co-Chair, Supervisor Heather Scott, Secretary, Behavioral Health Clinics Raymond Rebmann, Membership Chair, 7 Zone 1 Elizabeth McCray, Terrace View Specialty, Naval Park Steve Bailey, Terrace View Specialty, Kensington Sarah Ott, Behavioral Health Specialty, 5 South Rachel Larkin, Behavioral Health Specialty, 5 South Katrina Reynolds, CPEP Specialty, CPEP Loretta Palermo, Emergency Dept. Specialty, ED Sarah Chmura, Med/ Surg Specialty, 8 North Shawntres Currin, Med/Surg Specialty, 7 Zone 2 Murnita Bennett, At-Large, Care Management
Floor Delegates Dana Brown, Anesthesiology Dionna Vasquez, Care Management Shawn Mitchell, 5 North Alicia Geiss, PACU Shannon Mahar, 6 Zone 2 Matt Botticelli, 6 North Tara Hill, 9 Zone 3 Jennifer Greene, 9 Zone 3 Cynthia Dwyer, 7 Zone 1 Mackenzie DeCarlo, CPEP Ben Stanford, Delegate over all Unit Managers Colleen Casali, ASU Valeta Dunn, 8 Zone 1 Lee Barnett, OR Liam Morrissey, OR Chiqkena Collins, MICU Jennifer Brinkworth, 4 Zone 4 Sherry Thomas, PACU Delores Mitchell, TV Botanical Gardens Lisa Nowak, TV Canalside
If you’d like to join our leadership team, speak to a Delegate, or contact your Rep.
GET ANSWERS/STAY IN TOUCH Your NYSNA Representatives: Michael Graham michael.graham@nysna.org 716-467-0449 Jennifer Valentín-Polanco jennifer.valentin@nysna.org 716-445-6319 Dental benefit questions: www.Aetna.com, 877-238-6200 Prescription benefit questions: www.optumrx.com, 888-691-0130 For all other benefits: www.lmhf.net, 716-601-7980
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