11-02-09 SBMC Negotiations Update

Today, your bargaining committee left the table at 8pm.  

Over the past 6 weeks, we have presented many issues and concerns to management. We have worked tirelessly on lay-off language, as well as certification compensation, the on-call threshold, bargaining unit seniority for non-bargaining unit employees who choose to leave management and come into our union for the first time, or back into our union after holding a management position as well as a few other issues we will discuss at our meeting.

Furloughs were also a topic of major concern to us.  It seems that it’s acceptable for bargaining unit nurse’s who give direct patient care, to be furloughed, while PCC’s are allowed to re main at work taking our patient care assignments on themselves.

Management has made their position clear on nurse/patient ratios.  Our position has been and is always, safe staffing, saves lives.  

At this point, there is still a major issue in the LPN contract on lay-off and recall language. Management’s position is firm on this, but we are and have been, pushing them to listen to our counter-proposals.  

Tomorrow, we will return to the table with management’s firm and likely final offer on a wage increase, as well as where your pension stands. We anticipate ending negotiations by early afternoon, and will be completing the final details for our meeting this Wednesday.

You will have an update on the message board, as well as the NJNU website and a phone blast from the Union office.  It will have the place and times of our meetings in the message.

It is extremely important that you attend these meetings.  Your input on how we proceed will be expected.  Please keep in mind that the meetings will start promptly and end at the time designated, as we have much to discuss with you.  We are asking that you arrive on time, so you don’t miss any important issues and we can provide a question and answer session.

Please check the message board or NJNU website late tomorrow afternoon for meeting details. You will also receive a phone message from the automated message broadcasting line. If you haven't received phone messages in the past please call the NJNU office at 973-992-6568 with your current phone number.
 

Remember we all are a part of the NJNU “TEAM” because: