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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Ann Twomey, RN, Health Professionals and Allied Employees, American Federation of Teachers, 110 Kinderkamack Road, Emerson, NJ 07630, 201/260-5005, atwomey@hpae.org

Through collective bargaining, unions have addressed changes in nurse supervisory status and other key issues. This summer, Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) successfully negotiated contract language to maintain the nurses' rights to collective bargaining should the National Labor Relations Board rule that some or all of the nurses are supervisors and ineligible for protections under federal labor law. Seven thousand nurses and other healthcare workers represented by the HPAE at nine hospitals in New Jersey approved contract settlements that protect nurses' rights – including the right to collective bargaining - improve patient care and working conditions, and provide retirement security for the nurses and health care workers. All of the agreements include provisions for ensuring safe staffing levels for patients, improved health and safety language, retirement security, and wages that provide recognition of experience and seniority. Union members with defined contribution pension plans won additional employer contributions. This is an example of the union difference for nurses.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant will be able to

• Understand and the union difference with regard to nurses, including the role of unions in advocating for nurses.
• Recognise the union difference with regard to wages, benefits, staffing levels and other conditions of employment.
• Point to contract language that safeguards the nurses' right to collective bargaining should the NLRB rule that some or all of the workers are supervisors and ineligible for protections under federal law.

Keywords: Nurses,

Related Web page: www.hpae.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No