SEPT / OCT 2019
A NEWSLETTER FOR NYSNA RNs AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/MAYORALS
Bargaining Update We have held 11 bargaining sessions with the City since negotiations got underway on June 17th, with the latest sessions held on October 2nd, 3rd and 15th. At the sessions, we engaged in extensive discussions around our workplace violence, safe patient handling, disaster relief, release time, and enhanced Nurse Practice Committee proposals and made good progress on narrowing our differences on these issues. The City is also providing us with extensive census and staffing data that we requested as part of our nurse workload/ patient care proposals. We are reviewing that data to determine the actual staffing patterns and nursing care targets in each unit and to prepare for more detailed discussions around this key issue. We are also starting to work through the costing analysis of some of our proposals, including our proposal to reduce the weekend work obligation.
We have given the City more specific proposals on the following items: nn
Penalty pay for missed meal periods and rest periods;
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Improved workplace violence protections;
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Improved safe patient handling provisions;
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A professional work place environment proposal to protect against abusive managerial behavior;
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Enhanced role for the Nurse Practice Councils in addressing patient care and practice issues at NYCHH and the Mayoral Agencies;
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Clear rules and processes for the posting and filling of bargaining unit vacancies with preference for internal candidates and seniority;
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Clear rules on the changes in pay rates for permanent or temporary promotions;
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Improvements in responsibility pay and process for assignment of charge nurses;
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Restrictions on the involuntary floating of nurses, the use of shift rotation and work reassignments;
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Creation of a joint committee process for reviewing and approving new technology or equipment that impacts nursing;
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Process for approval of leaves to participate in disaster relief efforts; and
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Creation of a “Joint Health Care Services� committee composed of nurses and community stakeholders to have a direct say in decisions about the range of services and the way in which they are delivered to our patients, including input prior to deciding on whether to reduce or close services.
SAVE THE DATES! Next Bargaining Sessions: October 25 & November 1
WE ARE NURSES, WE ARE NYSNA!
Nurses Take Action for a Fair Contract What’s Next On October 31st, NYSNA nurses will be testifying before the City Council Health Committee and holding a press conference and rally to support the NYC Care Progam and its goals of expanding the role of Health + Hospitals and providing health care to all New Yorkers. We will be arguing that nurses are critical to this new health initiative and that NYC needs funding to recruit and retain the nurses its needs.
Anthony Feliciano, CPHS Director and NYSNA Negotiations Committee members outside the offices of Council Member Mark Levine.
Radio Ads Hit the Air NYSNA launched a series of radio ads on October 15 to build public support for public hospital nurses. The ads will run for the next two weeks on the two most popular AM news stations in NYC—1010 WINS and WCBS 880. You can tune in to either station to catch the ads, or listen to the first ad here: http://bit. ly/hhradioad
Building Political and Community Support NYSNA nurses have been busy meeting with elected officials to gain political support for the resources we need. In September, NYSNA nurses met with Council Member Mark Levine, Chair of the Health Committee, and Council Member Daniel Dromm, Chair of the Finance Committee. In October, we met with Council Member Carlina Rivera, Chair of the Hospitals Committee. All of these key electeds offered their support and advice as our negotiations progress.
NYC H+H/Mayorals nurses meet with Council Member Daniel Dromm.
Contract Action Teams are planning a week of action at H+H facilities from November 5 to 15. On November 13, nurses at Jacobi plan to rally outside the hospital to build public awareness of our campaign to deliver healthcare justice to the other New York. If you are interested in joining us, or have an idea for your own contract action to support the campaign, please contact henry.rose@nysna.org.
On October 16, nurses at Jacobi participated in a sticker day to build support for our contract campaign. NYSNA Negotiations Committee members and local LBU leaders meet with Council Member Carlina Rivera.
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2019
A Newsletter for NYSNA RNs at NYC Health + Hospitals
NYSNA NYC H+H Ad Campaign Makes a Splash In late September, bus shelter ads began going up near six public hospitals, letting our patients and community know that we care for them! Through the end of November, there will be a total of 12 H+H hospitals with billboards, helping build public awareness of the important role NYSNA nurses play in healthcare delivery for NYC’s communities. Let a colleague know you saw them in an ad, and stay tuned for more nurses in the news!
Parades Celebrate Nurses and Community H+H nurses serve the public every day, but it’s not every day that we are out in the community, representing our profession and our union. That’s why we’re are so excited about the recent parades where H+H nurses and our message of Healthcare Justice for the Other New York were featured so prominently: the West Indian Day Parade, the New York City Labor Day Parade, and the African American Day Parade.
UPCOMING EVENTS
(For more information or to register, ask your NYSNA Rep or visit www.nysna.org/events)
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MED-SURGE NURSING CERT. REVIEW
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CRITICAL CARE NURSING CERT. REVIEW
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MATERNAL NEWBORN CERT. REVIEW
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HEALTH & SAFETY WORKSHOPS
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NEONATAL NURSING CERT. REVIEW
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CHARTING WITH A JURY IN MIND PT. III
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SEMINAR AT SEA 2020
November 14 & 15, NYSNA NYC Office November 20 & 21, NYSNA NYC Office November 25 & 26, NYSNA NYC Office December 2, NYSNA NYC Office December 5 & 6, NYSNA NYC Office December 11, NYSNA NYC Office May 30 - June 6, Venice, Italy
SAVE THE DATE! NYSNA CONVENTION OCTOBER 29 & 30 ALBANY, NY
NYC H+H & MAYORAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHAIRS RNS: • Naomi Greene, Administration for Children’s Services • Todd Schultz, Bellevue Hospital Center • Jovana Woodley, Coler Specialty Hospital & Nursing Facility • Ray Briggs, Coney Island Hospital • Audrey Morgan, Correctional Health Services • Florence Exinor, Cumberland D & T Center • Keysha Morris, Department of Correction • Theresa Minarik, Department of Sanitation • Jacqueline Leach, Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Nursing & Rehab Ctr • Deborah Gatson, East NY D & T Center • Pauline Williams, Elmhurst Hospital Center • James Ambery, Fire Department • Marion Parkins, Harlem Hospital Center • Grace Lee, Gouverneur Healthcare Services • Peter Pacheco, Henry J. Carter Specialty Hosp. & Nursing Facility • Rivka Elyahu, HHC Health and Home Care • Yelena Levin, Human Resources Administration • Mary Simon, Jacobi Medical Center • Curlean Duncan, Kings County Hospital Center • Marsha Wilson, Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center • Verginia Stewart, Metropolitan Hospital Center • Nicole Smith Ferguson, Morrisania D & T Center • Lynne Sanderson Burgess, Police Department • Sharon Greenaway, North Central Bronx Hospital • Lindella Artman, Queens Hospital Center • Stephen Nartey, Renaissance Healthcare Network • Kimberly Yeo, Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center & Home • Natalie Solomon, Segundo Ruiz Belvis D&TC • Judith Cutchin, Woodhull Medical & Mental Health Center
GET ANSWERS/STAY IN TOUCH Dental benefit questions: www.Aetna.com, 877-238-6200 Prescription benefit questions: www.optumrx.com, 888-691-0130 For all other benefits: www.ASOnet.com, 888-692-7671 NYSNA NYC Office: www.nysna.org, 212 785 0157 NYSNA Board of Directors: www.nysna.org/board-directors
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