Members Say The Union Makes Us Stronger
 

At our last bargaining session, the bargaining committee asked management to show us a copy of the letter HR has been giving to new hires with “facts” about the Union.  The letter characterized us as bullies who would intimidate the new hires into signing up for Union membership, as if it’s not in your interest to be a member.  Local 40 Vice President, Dina Carlisle made it clear to management that we will not tolerate disrespect of our Union or our work as Union RNs.  After some contentious discussion about the disrespectful tone of the letter, management agreed to stop giving it out to new hires, and will leave it up to the Union to explain.

The “U” in Union means US. When RNs refuse to join or be part of the union, it weakens us all.  Local 40 has always maintained 97% or more dues paying members. Strength and power is directly related to the members of our Union.  Without solidarity and unity, our union will not survive. Tell all non-union members about the importance of our Union and that belonging is important to all of our strength. 

Jeff Morawski. RN, Local 40 President

When you are a member of the Union, you are part of a team working to make changes that improve our hospital, our families, and our communities.

Terri Dagg-Barr, RN, Chief Steward

If you want to get the best pay and benefits, you need to join us!

JoHanna Ellis, RN

I encourage all members to approach your co-workers and talk about the benefits of being in the Union. Solidarity works; that’s how we get great contracts. Join the team.

Michael O’Neill, RN, Trustee, Steward

Progress on Staff Meeting Requirement:
Management Acknowledges Union Concerns

Management has acknowledged your feedback about making staff meetings mandatory and subject to discipline if you don’t attend.  Members were clear that staffing levels and the times meetings were scheduled made it very difficult or impossible to attend.  Debra Bohach and Julie Kozlowski agreed that attending is difficult because either we can’t get out of the room to attend the meetings; we don’t have the staff to cover”, or “I’m not here at the time of the staff meeting because either it’s my day off, or I have to come in 4 hours early for my twelve hour shift.

The bargaining team proposed working together with management to identify the reasons why staff cannot/do not attend staff meetings and work in partnership to address those issues and make attendance possible.  Meetings will not be mandatory, but we will be asking for your input about how to make the meetings easier to attend.

In Solidarity,

Bargaining Committee