PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

WE ARE SURVIVORS!

Together we can accomplish anything we set our minds to do. We have a chance to make changes because we care about our patients, community and the survival of BMC. Do we want to unite and become partners in the future of BMC? United we have the strength to accomplish anything. We saved our benefits and our jobs. Speak up and tell us your concerns and let’s work together to solve them. What direction do you want to go in? We must generate enthusiasm to get our members to want the same things that we have fought so hard for. United we stand, divided we fall!

Donna Benjamin

UPDATES

 TERMINAL BENEFITS

We are close to a settlement on the issue involving terminal benefits for employees who ended their employment with the hospital prior to the new owners taking over on February 1^st. The new owners initially took the position that it is not their responsibility to pay for these benefits. In response, we filed a motion in Bankruptcy Court to order the new owner to pay these benefits. At this point, it appears that the new owners will pay for the terminal benefits.

LETTER FROM THE BANKRUPTCY COURT

All of us recently got a form from the bankruptcy court regarding claims connected with the hospital’s bankruptcy. You do not have to fill out this form. The Union hired an attorney to represent us in the bankruptcy proceedings, and he already filed the necessary paperwork for all claims that individual employees or the Union as a whole might have. 

VEBA DELAY

Contributions by the hospital to the HPAE Retiree Medical Fund (VEBA) of $.20/hour were to begin in January, but have been delayed due to the bankruptcy and the transition to the new owners. We will be meeting with management soon to start up the payments.

SHORT STAFFING FORMS

Working beyond your ratio?  No auxiliary staff?  If you can answer yes to one of the 2 questions, then you need to fill out short staffing forms!!  Although it cannot help your immediate situation, it can help in the long run.

Filing this form provides protection for you by making the hospital responsible for any issues that may occur during your shift.  Also, short staffing forms are a valuable tool used by our union to prove the need for better staffing and possibly help our fellow laid off employees regain their positions.

So remember, although your shift may be extremely busy, make time to fill out or sign a form and drop it into the union mailbox located in the cafeteria or give it to a union rep.

Linda Tsaiklis, VP for LPN/TECHs

HPAE Education and Training Calendar 2008

  September: 24: Grievance Chair Workshop (1 to 4 pm)

 October: 2-3: HPAE Convention—Taj Mahal Convention Center - Atlantic City, NJ

 LABOR MANAGEMENT MEETING UPDATE

We held a labor-management meeting on Thursday June 19, 2008.  The following topics were discussed.  We successfully gained results on some of the topics that we raised.   

1. Donna Benjamin raised the issue of LPN’s doing assessments in TRCU. Carol Sangi determined that the practice will end.
2. Donna raised the issue that many units do not post PTO schedules.  Jen Dobin will send a memo to all department heads related to the posting of PTO and ensuring that not too many employees are being given time off at the same time.
3. Jen Dobin stated that a huge computer glitch at Horizon BC/BS caused some identification cards to be sent out in error.  Horizon is sending apology letters to those affected.
4. Cathy Lapinski stated that the Joint Commission Safety Fair was a success with 558 participants.  There will be another in July which will focus on safety goals.
5. Donna raised the issue of the large number of agency nurses that have worked in the past two months after many union members were terminated or laid off.  Jen Dobin stated that the hospital hired 10 Per Diem RNs in order to circumvent the use of agency RNs.  She stated that after the agency contract ends that the hospital will hire more per diems.
6. Donna raised the issue of admissions coming in after 3 pm causing bed clearing to be a problem. Jen Dobin stated that there will be more RNs assigned to do rapid admissions in order to get the patients to the floor earlier. 

YOUR UNION IS WORKING FOR YOU – SUPPORT YOUR UNION

A NEW ROLE FOR OUR UNION - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Bayonne Medical Center's former CE0 and Board President kept tight control and a substantial level of secrecy about the finances, plans and decisions of the Hospital Board. It took months of public pressure, including demonstrations in the streets, by hundreds of Bayonne residents, our elected officials and, especially, HPAE members, to force BMC to open their books.  This revealed what we had suspected; the hospital was in dire financial condition due to gross mismanagement.

In contrast, BMC's new owners, IJKG, have made a commitment to be open, transparent and inclusive. They have established positions on the Board of Trustees for a Community Advisory representative, the Mayor, a City Councilman and HPAE's President. This will give us a new level of input and oversight on behalf of our members. Ann Twomey, President, has accepted the invitation to serve. The first meeting took place on May 1 and monthly meetings will follow. 

LOYALTY AND UNITY

The last year has been quite a year !! Hell really! We have been bankrupt, sold, probationed, fired and laid off. Many of our friends are gone and we are hoping to get them back through arbitration. I know everyone is tired and disgusted at this point but we need to press on for our future. I am urging you to please attend our Membership Meetings. Educate yourself and don’t let rumors, misinformation and fear guide you.

Secondly, we need reps in every department. All departments must be represented. Be proactive for yourself and remember contract negotiations are coming and I am sure you want your voice to be heard. If all you want to do is get and give information, that will be ok. Please call me in respiratory at extension 5370.

Susan Sienkiewicz-Maczuga, Membership Mobilizer

ARE YOU WORKING WITH BROKEN EQUIPMENT?

Attention:  broken equipment is now being tracked by Michele Viellette. If you have problems concerning equipment repair or replacement call me at extension 5590.

Michele Viellette

 STAFFING COMMITTEE

The Staffing Committee will resume meeting later in May. It will be comprised of John Bauer, RN: Chair, Mary Mack, RN: Secretary, and Evelyn Chua, RN from 5r. Please forward your issues or concerns to John, Mary or Evelyn. You may place then in the union mailbox or send them via email to jjbauerrnccrn@aol.com or mmack326@aol.com.

Remember the importance of completing short staffing forms.

Thanks, we'll keep you posted.