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Friday, October 1
Tropicana
2831 Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ
HPAE Local 5089 at University of Medicine & Dentistry (RNs)
Updates
FHS Re-org, H-Blue Closing
July 23, 2010
UMDNJ management has given notice to our union officers that Family Health Services will undergo a reorganization in the coming weeks affecting a significant number of RNs and other staff. In addition, they have informed us that H-Blue will now be permanently closed - affecting all staff assigned to that unit.
We are told that nurses can expect to receive a letter about the reorganization early next week and meetings with HR will be set-up the following week.
We have the right to question management’s decision to reorganize and to negotiate over the impact the reorganization will have on our members.
We are requesting information about the census on the units as well as a list of impacted units and staff in order to formulate proposals to submit to management. We are committed to ensuring our contract is upheld, our rights are protected and seniority prevails during the reorganization. We are further committed to ensuring the reorganization does not create undue short staffing in the future as a result of decreased staffing.
We have scheduled a membership meeting to discuss this on Wednesday, July 28 from 5:00 – 9:00 pm in H-Yellow Room 342. All members from the impacted units should make their best effort to attend.
A message from your HPAE Local 5089 President
July 23, 2010
Today members of HPAE Local 5089 and Local 5094, Registered Nurses and Health Professionals at UMDNJ, had 1.5% of their salary deducted in order to participate in the State Health Benefits Program -- in effect, causing a cut in take home pay for 4,000 HPAE members.
This did not have to happen!
We have made every effort to negotiate a reasonable settlement with UMDNJ that takes in to consideration their financial situation, but would also offset the impact of the 1.5% health benefits contribution.
The University refused to consider any alternative. Every proposal we offered was rejected by them.
We've filed charges with the NJ Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC) against UMDNJ for bad faith bargaining. We continue to pursue the charges vigorously.
This administration has shown utter contempt for its employees, our unions and the collective bargaining process. We have not received a raise in three years and they refuse to bargain in good faith. To add insult to injury, Dr Owen has expressed his "special concern" about the impact of the state's new cap on pension contributions on UMDNJ's highest salary earners - those making over $141,000 - with no mention or regard for the impact of the 1.5% deduction on the vast majority of UMD's employees and their families.
If UMDNJ wants to retain qualified staff and avoid a further deterioration in morale, management needs to not only do what they are legally required to do -- they need to do the right thing. They need to treat their staff with the respect that we deserve, by negotiating a fair and reasonable contract.
In Solidarity,
Elmer Daniels, President
June 30, 2010
ERT Update
On Tuesday, June 29, we met with Judy Colorado and Sahlee Monongo from Nursing Management as well as Abbe Kannan and Pat Scully from Labor Relations to discuss the concerns of our members related to the ERT assignments.
We raised your concerns about Band-aid coverage. Management agreed that Band-aids should be removed from the assignments and they will formally make these changes within the next week. We further raised concerns about staffing on the units and the potential impact of ERT coverage. Our position continues to be that one nurse should be designated as the ERT nurse with no patient assignment. That nurse can also assist the Critical Care units with admissions, discharges and break coverage. Management said they are willing to discuss this option further and a follow up meeting will be scheduled.
Management informed us that they will be expanding the assignments to include the NICU and CCU nurses. This will be rotated weekly by unit and coverage will be on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
We will continue to address this issue until an adequate resolution can be achieved.
June 23, 2010
June 11, 2010
Wage Reopener Update
On June 9, our union officers met with management to try to bring resolution to our current wage negotiations. Acting Vice President of Human Resources, Gere Garcia informed us that management’s previous wage proposal of a 1.5% increase with a 1.5% health benefits contribution retroactive to July 1, 2008 is off the table. They are currently authorized by senior management to offer 0% for 2008 and 0% for 2009. They further indicated that there would be no step movement for those years.
We also proposed an extension to the current contract in order to prevent the legally mandated 1.5% health benefits contribution from going into effect for our members on July 1, 2010. Management continues to refuse this option.
We have reactivated our Unfair Practice Charge against UMDNJ for their refusal to bargain in good faith and have an exploratory conference with the Public Employee Relations Commission scheduled for the end of the month. There will also be a scheduled membership meeting in Newark before June 30. More details are forthcoming.
May 28, 2010
- We would like to thank all the nurses who particpated at the May 22nd Rally in Trenton. A special thank you to G-Blue nurses who had the largest representation.
- We will begin rep training 6/10. Anyone who has not applied and is interested in becoming a staff rep and has not done so can apply online.
- Reminder for monthy divisional meetings: Family Health Services will meet the 4th Thursday of every month & Peri-Op will meet the 1st Monday of every month. We are strongly encouraging nurses to attend these meetings.
- The membership luncheons were a success. We had a great turn-out. We continue to thank members for their hard work and dedication to the profession and for their continued support.
1.5% Health Benefits Contribution
May 28, 2010
For three years we have fought off attempts to require us to pay a contribution towards our health benefits. Now, a new law signed by Governor Christie, requires ALL public and state employees to contribute 1.5% of BASE pay for health insurance premiums beginning May 22, 2010. However, because we are covered by an existing Collective Bargaining Agreement, the deduction will not begin until July 1, 2010 - after our contract expires.
We are attempting to schedule another meeting with management in an effort to settle the wage reopener before the contract ends. We are also reactivating our Unfair Practice Charge with the NJ Public Employees Relations Commission against UMDNJ for their refusal to bargain.
By refusing to negotiate with the union, and furthermore, by indicating that they will not consider an extension of the current contract – even without any form of a salary increase – UMDNJ has effectively ensured that their Nurses will see a reduction in their take home pay. For purely political considerations, they have sacrificed the economic security and economic well-being of their Nurses.
Joy Trangone, Elmer Daniels, and Other HPAE Members Stood Up for a Fair Budget - see what they had to say
Stand Up To Protect NJ's Families and Communities - May 22, 2010 in Trenton
Member Appreciation Lunch
Join us in celebrating the incredible work we do each and every day
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
10:00 pm - 12:00 am
University Hospital
Room H342
NEW Union Rep Application and Petition
If you are a member in good standing with the union and are interested in becoming a union representative, click here to download the application and petition.
NEW Unit Captain Application
If you are a member in good standing with the union and are interested in becoming a unit captain, click here to download the application.
May 11, 2010
Negotiations Update
We are still pursuing the re-opener contract of 2008 and hope to schedule meetings with management soon. More information to follow.
A Contract Language Committee is being formed to help with the upcoming 2010 contract. We are asking for volunteers for this committee. If you are interested, please contact one of your officers or staff reps as soon as possible.
Upcoming Divisional Membership Meetings:
5/13: FHS
5/18: Med/Surg
On the agenda for the Medical/Surgical Membership Meeting:
- Status of Wage “Re-opener” Negotiations
- Impact of legislation requiring 1.5% benefits contribution
- Upcoming 2010 Contract Negotiations
- Recruitment of Unit Captains
- Open forum for member concerns
These meetings will be held in University Hospital, Room H-342 from 7:30 am to 8:30 am and 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Click here to read the rest of May's edition of The Sentinel.
Local 5089 Wins Modifications to Block Assignment
April 1, 2010
We were recently able to get management to agree to a modified version of the block assignments on I-Blue. The nurses will still be assigned in blocks, but will rotate admissions.
Click here to read the full March Newsletter
HPAE Nurses Give Testimony to the Assembly Appropriations Committee Concerning Effects of Proposed Pension Cuts
March 18, 2010
Taken from Politckernj.com
TRENTON - Pent-up anger spilled into the Assembly Appropriations Committee room this evening as a hearing on Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) reform turned into a preview of public sector pushback against Gov. Chris Christie's 2011 budget.
Futilely attempting to derail a bipartisan bill that would eliminate accidental and ordinary disability retirement for PERS employees, nurses and probation workers bashed the legislature and Democrats - then savaged Christie for - in their view - disrespecting their ranks in his budget speech.
"I have been kicked, stabbed... I guy with a black belt wrote he was going to assassinate us," said Barbara Esser, a public employee nurse at Reynolds Hospital.
"The double-dipping and other games have nothing to do with us, and I totally resent being characterized as a greedy, selfish public employee."
Esser said after a lifetime of hard service, she moved to 22 and a half hours a week - "on paper."
"When you add it up, I put in full-time hours," she said.
Her spouse works full-time.
To get singled out as a part-time worker unworthy of benefits irks her and could end up doing worse to her and her family, she said.
Dwight Covaleskie, first vice president of the Probation Association of New Jersey, backed her up from his perspective.
"This package breaks collective bargaining and sets a dangerous precedent," he said of A-2459. "Armed with nothing more than pepper spray, we go into our state's most dangerous neighborhoods to do our jobs, and we have been broadsided these past four years with constant reductions. Where will the constant so-called reforms stop?"
Covaleskie noted Christie's budget proposal for government at every level to be able to opt out of civil service. This is a proposal that's generating early anger as people see the potential for chunks of government workers to be fired and replaced with cronies.
"And I should remind you that just last year Wall Street executives received record bonuses," Covaleskie said.
In the face of their testimony, the bill received unanimous support from the Appropriations Committee.
Continued Contract Violations by Nursing Administration
March 1, 2010
A grievance regarding schedule changes to the posted schedule had recently been upheld by Human Resources and nursing administration was notified to withdraw their new policy and abide by our contractual language.
We have received new information that, despite our grievance settlement, the Nursing Directors have recently denied a number of nurses’ requests for schedule changes. As you are aware, requests for changes are to be submitted to your Nurse Manager. Past practice, as well as our contract language, gives your Nurse Manager the authority to approve such requests. Furthermore, as per our contract, requests should not be unreasonably denied. In the cases of which we are aware, the Nursing Directors have overruled the Nurse Managers and did not provide a valid reason.
We have notified Human Resources of this violation and we are filing a class action grievance. Due to the Nursing Directors’ disregard for our recent settlement and the retaliatory nature of the denials, we are also filing an Unfair Practice Charge against UMDNJ with the NJ Public Employees Relation Commission (PERC). To assist in these efforts, if you have been denied the opportunity to switch your shift, please fax a copy of the denial to HPAE’s Headquarters at 201-262-4335, attention Norman DeGeneste.
We are also aware of the recent change to vacation scheduling. Past practice has been to allow two nurses per day time off, but Nursing management is now verbally informing staff that time off will be limited to one nurse per day. We are currently pursuing this issue with Human Resources and Theresa Rejrat. To help develop our case, if you feel you have been unreasonably denied your vacation request, contact a union rep and fax the denial to HPAE Headquarters at the fax number listed above.
Due to the extent of our problems with Nursing Administration, we are also requesting a meeting with UH CEO, Robin Wittenstein, to discuss these issues and address the repressive work environment that we are being subjected to at University Hospital.
Peri-operative Services Update
Untimely Unsatisfactory Performance Evaluations to be Discarded
Availability of Personal Protective Equipment to be Addressed
February 22, 2010
On Thursday, February 18th, we meet with management of Peri-operative Services to discuss a number of our issues and concerns. Present for HPAE: Elmer Daniels, Banita Herndon, Cynthia Baez and Ally Joseph. Present for Management: Dr. Freda, Phyllis Liptack. The following items were addressed:
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Dr Freda did an inventory and acknowledged that presently there are not enough shields in the OR. He has sent a request for financial approval to purchase more shields. Interim-resolution: The equipment tech will be responsible for assigning and collecting the shields. This will be a two month pilot program and we ask that everyone cooperate.
Staff Evaluations: Many nurses did not receive evaluations on time and subsequently received unsatisfactory evaluations without the opportunity to create a corrective plan. Resolution: Management has agreed to remove all evaluations of nurses who received less than a three.
Surgeon Evaluation of Nurses: Dr. Freda reports that he in conjunction with Theresa Rejrat, UH Chief Nursing Officer, created a tool for the physicians to evaluate the nurses. We maintain that the process for nurse evaluation is through our direct chain of command and we expressed concern about the subjective nature of the surveys. We confirmed that the surveys are currently not being utilized for our annual evaluations. We will continue to address this issue with Theresa Rejrat.
On-call Issues: Nurses on-call have voiced concern about short rest periods. Resolution: Phyllis Liptack, Director of Peri-operative Services, is currently developing an on-call policy for our review. There are also plans for an on-call room to accommodate the nursing staff.
Peri-operative Labor-Management Meetings: It was mutually agreed that the union and management will meet monthly to address ongoing concerns and to work towards improving working conditions.
Our Contractual Right to Switch Schedules Upheld
February 19, 2010
In the past few days, over 400 nurses at the Hospital signed a petition to demand Nursing Administration cease and desist from making unilateral changes to our contract by eliminating our right to make changes to the posted schedules.
Due to our activity, on Friday, February 19th, UMDNJ Director of Labor Relations Abbe Kanan, upheld our grievance with the following message:
“Please be advised that the matter has been reviewed, and Article 5.03 will be followed with regard to schedule changes. As a result, Nursing Administration will make this clarification in upcoming meetings with the Nurse Managers.”
We'd like to commend all of our Reps, Unit Captains and members who signed and circulated our petition to management and who spoke out about this issue.
This proves when we act together we make a difference
No Schedule Changes?! Enough is Enough!
February 6, 2010
Our union leadership is aware of the University Hospital Memorandum circulated by Judy Colorado dated February 3 regarding “changes to the posted schedule” in which she attests the Nursing Administration will no longer accept employee requests for schedule changes after they have been posted.
We view this as a unilateral action by management and a direct violation of our contract section 5.03, “Work Schedules”, which provides a right and a process for members to request changes to the schedule that should not be unreasonably denied.
At a time when the University has not provided us with a raise for over two years, this latest action only serves to punish our nurses. It is the latest in a series of management actions that demonstrate a systemic pattern of disrespect for the nursing staff and a blatant disregard for our well-being and satisfaction, our contract and our collective bargaining rights.
We have filed a grievance with management over this matter and we are prepared to take it to arbitration if necessary. However, we can only begin to change management’s behavior if we ALL stand up and act together to let management know: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Over the course of next few days, our union leadership through our reps and unit captains will be circulating a petition to Judy Colorado and the entire Nursing Administration to protest these changes and management’s actions. This is a simple action that we expect EVERYONE to participate.
In addition, we have scheduled a Membership Meeting on Tuesday, February 16 in University Hospital to address our response to this issue and to discuss the status of our wage re-opener negotiations. Notice will be posted on the units and emailed next week.
HPAE Local 5089 RNs UMDNJ Labor-Management Update
Date of meeting- January 19, 2010
Members Present: Elmer Daniels, RN, Cynthia Mcdougall, RN, Banita Herndon, RN, Jeannie Redd, RN, Juanita Ormilion, RN, Albert Abdemur, RN, Norman Degeneste Staff Rep.
Management: Judy Colorodo, Executive Director, Darnell Reamer, Labor Management, Rosalina Manongdo, Director, Jacinta Ogbonna, Director, Patricia Jones NM, Nancy Bedell, Director, Prince Kena, NM, Theresa Rejrat, CNO – 10:00 AM
Management Guest Speakers: Detective Lester Jones, Detective Guitteriz, Captain Alex Rabar, (UH - Public Safety) Speaking in behalf of Gang violence prevention.
Excused: Philomena Chinemelu, RN L/M Chair
Introduction of detectives and safety officers to the committee- The NJ State Police Intelligence is aware of Gang activity in this area and will alert detectives/UH public safety if employees are at risk. UH response time to violence is 30seconds per Detective Jones.
In our area there’s the Bloods, Crypts and Latin kings. Detective Jones discussed that nurses in white uniforms are not targeted by gang members.
Banita stated that the ED was confronted by gang members who surrounded the ED. This was provoked by a patient that was shot by a gang.
Nancy Bedell stated that St. Josephs Police hospital negotiated with Gangs to make their hospital a neutral zone. click here for complete update
For November minutes click here!
For last month minutes click here!
HPAE Local 5089 RNs UMDNJ Staff Advisory Update
HPAE LOCAL 5089 STAFFING ADVISORY MEETING
Date: February 2, 2010
Members Present: Elmer Daniels, RN, Cynthia Mc Dougall, RN, Banita Herndon, RN, Jeannie Redd, RN, Patricia Drabik, RN, Jeanette Lee, RN, Joy Anderson, RN
Staff representatives: Norman Degeneste, Valerie Zito
Management: Judy Colorodo, Exec. Director, Rosalina Manongdo, DOPCS, Jacinta Ogbonna, DOPCS, Darnell Reamer, Rita Babu, NM
Members Excused: Cynthia McDougall, RN
Introduction of union members present. Elmer discussed that there will be new appointees and that she will be Acting Staffing Chair until position can be filled. Introduced new title of President, Elmer Daniels, Vice president’s Banita Herndon, Cynthia Mc Dougall and Ewaryst Jedrasik: Jeannie Redd,treasurer and Joy Tragone, secretary.
click here for complete update
Constitution and By-Laws of Local 5089
To download these bylaws, click here.
Safe Staffing Form
To download this form, click here.
Local Officers List
President: Elmer Daniels
Vice-Presidents: Cynthia McDougall, Banita Herndon, Ewaryst Jedrasik
Secretary: Joy Trangone
Treasurer: Jeannie Redd
Grievance Chair: Banita Herndon
HPAE Staff Reps
Terry Alaimo - (Central/South Campus) 908-687-5103 ext. 419
HPAE Support Staff
Tammy McCalla 201-262-5005 - ext. 110
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