MESSAGE FROM YOUR LOCAL LEADERSHIP

As many nurses should be aware of the Mandatory Staff Level Posting and Reporting Standard law is now in effect.  The regulatory agency that is responsible to enforce this law is the Department of Health and Senior Services.  The purpose of this law is to provide patients, their families, and the public information about direct patient care staffing levels in visible and accessible locations in specified areas of the hospital.  This information should include staffing numbers for direct patient care on a daily basis.  The information is reported monthly to the Department of Health and Senior Services.  Direct patient care means clinical care services provided directly to patients by a registered professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, physical therapist, respiratory therapist and/or unlicensed assistive personnel who provide and are directly responsible for patient care on a particular shift which is calculated by dividing the total numbers of hours worked by each category of staff by the number of hours in a shift.  The hospital shall post staff ratio information no later than 1 hour after the beginning of the next shift with respect to each shift.  HPAE members, local and state wide, should be proud of themselves for the active participation that helped make this staffing disclosure law a reality.  We believe this is a good beginning for the well being of our patients and staff alike.  A special thank you for a job well done to our COPE Committee for all its efforts on this bill and all the work they do to try to achieve a healthier work place for patients and staff alike.  Summary reports on staffing for each hospital will be available on line at the New Jersey Department of health and Senior Services website at www.nj.gov/health/heathcarequality.

COPE UPDATE

Your local and state COPE committee has been busy at work researching voting records and investigating the candidates’ positions on different issues.  Our COPE committee does this so they can make informed endorsements on the candidates that would best serve us all.  Anyone interested on working on the Committee Of Political Education please contact Pam Reinhardt or Jim Dougherty.  Candidate information and endorsements will follow soon.  Election Day will be here before you know it.

HPAE STATE CONVENTION

Our state convention this year is in Atlantic City at the Taj Mahal on October 2^nd and 3^rd so mark your calendars and request off for it now.  All members are welcome. We will have an election by mail for delegates; details will follow in the mail.  Your leadership would like to suggest that anyone who has been to our convention in the past recruit and bring along a new member to introduce them to other members to make them feel welcome.  Your local will pay for as many rooms as possible based on double occupancy so pick your roommate, register and join us for a fun informative convention. Register at www.hpae.org/eventregistrationmain.htm or by mail.  Just fill out the registration form on the back of your Clarion and mail it in.  See you in Atlantic City!

CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS

We have received multiple phone calls regarding section 6.03 work schedules.  Management must post a four-week work schedule no later than 2 weeks in advance of the current schedule.  Yes, this means an actual schedule should be posted on your unit not just your individual schedule or shift.

I am happy to announce that our long time member of HPAE Sharon Burke RN MSN nurse educator dialysis, has volunteered to represent our local (5058) on the HPAE State Education Committee.  Welcome Sharon.  Your local leadership is sure Sharon will do a great job.  The purpose of this committee is to offer education on different subjects of interest with CEU’s for our membership at minimal cost, several times a year.  The next dates planned are September 10 and September 17 so mark your calendars to attend one of these educational sessions; subject and location to follow.

In unity,

Your Local E-Board

Local 5058 leaders: Jim Dougherty, Rita Hrcsko, Pam Reinhardt, Fran McLaughlin, and Local 5058 retiree and COR Secretary/Treasurer Marilyn Higgins, joined with HPAE officers and members at this year's AFT convention.

DATES TO REMEMBER

HPAE EDUCATION DAYS

Join us for workshop sessions in the  fall of 2008.  These Education days are for union members - Contact hours will be offered!

September 10, 2008 - 9 am - 4 pm
Wyndham Gardens Hotel
50 Kenny Place
Saddle Brook, NJ 07663

September 17, 2008 - 9 am - 4 pm
Marriot Courtyard
420 Forsgate Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

UNIT REP MEETINGS

Sept 3^rd – 5:30 pm
November 5^th – 5:30 pm

Meetings are held at the Neptune City First Aid Building on West Sylvania Avenue.  All members are welcome to attend, a light dinner is served.

GENERAL MEETING

October 6^th – 8 am, 4 pm, 8 pm
Neptune City Firehouse

HPAE STATE CONVENTION

October 2^nd and 3^rd
Taj Mahal - Atlantic City, NJ
Register at: www.hpae.org/convention08_registration.htm