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Summer 2002 UAN Nurses Unite Behind ‘New Partnership’ for Future UAN delegates made great progress toward a bold, new partnership that will strengthen UAN and the ANA at the third annual UAN National Labor Assembly in Philadelphia June 26-27. Despite unresolved issues over financial allocations, UAN leaders expressed confidence that negotiations to restructure the relationship between UAN and ANA would be successfully concluded in a matter of months. “I believe there are many things UAN and ANA agree on. We can use that as a basis to reach a resolution that is productive for both of us,” said UAN President Cheryl Johnson, RN. Over the two-day meeting, the 92 UAN delegates passed an historic resolution that would establish the UAN as an autonomous, strong, competitive national union with ties to the ANA. Under the plan, UAN would: • Be self-governing in finances, staff
and direction The UAN resolution supported an ANA House of Delegates proposal that would restructure the ANA to grant UAN more independence. However, the special bylaws session of the HOD adjourned before the UAN proposal made it to the floor. UAN delegates at the closing special session of the ANA House “stood up” for staff nurses, forming a human chain around delegates and showing their solidarity and support for an independent UAN and for consideration of the UAN’s proposal. “The nurses of the UAN remain committed to the goals we defined and agreed upon at the NLA — an autonomous national union,” added President Johnson, who was re-elected unopposed to a second term at the NLA. “Staff nurses will change ANA — starting right away, and there is a growing solidarity among our members to do that.” ANA HOD delegates recommended that the ANA Board increase UAN’s budget for next year to not less than $5.4 million, and convene a special strategic partnership negotiating team to discuss
fair distribution of ANA resources. ANA delegates also urged
the convening of a special session of the House to consider
bylaws changes — a move requiring approval of 28 CMAs
or two-thirds of the ANA Board. 2002 National Labor Assembly Unites Forums Cover AFL-CIO, Right-to-Work, VA, State Laws — In the AFL-CIO session, Sandy Felder (right) of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO discussed AFL-CIO national, state and local activities with participants, and Ohio delegate Mike Haas, RN, (left) discussed his local unit’s cooperative activities with the Cincinnati CLC. Educational forums at this year’s NLA gave nurses a chance to hear about what AFL-CIO does, how to organize in a right-to-work state, what’s new in the UAN National VA Council and the status of current state and national legislative initiatives. Honoring 9/11 RNs — Delegates saluted the nurse heroes of September 11 at the NLA. From left, RNs Anne Bove (NY), Sharon Payne (DC) and Mike Nilsson (FL, former NY firefighter) described how nurses in their area responded to that day’s tragic events. Strategies for Safe Staffing — Belinda Morieson (left) of the Australian Nursing Federation/Victoria described how nurses there have made one of the world’s only RN-to-patient ratios laws a success. Other speakers included Irma Lupia (NJSNA), Ann Twomey (AFT), Luisa Blue (SEIU Local 121). Susan King (right), administrator of the Oregon Nurses Association, discussed Oregon’s new staffing law. Delegates learned more about what nurses around the world are doing to combat dangerous levels of RN understaffing during the NLA staffing panel. Spotlight on UAN Activists — This year’s “spotlight” speakers inspired delegates with their personal stories of the amazing things nurses can do when they join unions. Speakers (from left) included Elaine Lober (MI), Stanna Laprath (WA), Deanna Jones (CO), Lori Gay (UT), Barbara Crane (NY) and Ali O’Neill (OR). UAN Staff Nurses in ‘New Partnership’ UAN Leadership Together — Delegates re-elected UAN President Cheryl Johnson, RN, and UAN Vice President Ann Converso, RN, who both ran unopposed. UAN Director-at-Large Ed Goldberg, RN, (right) was re-elected to another term, and Minnesota E & GW Chair Jean Ross, RN, (left) was elected a Director-at-Large for the first time. ANA President at NLA — UAN Executive Council members greet outgoing ANA President Mary Foley after her remarks at the NLA. AFL-CIO EVP Visits NLA — AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson (right) applauded UAN nurses for the great work they do to organize RNs and improve health care during her remarks at the UAN reception: “Together, we can build a community where nurses are cherished and their work is respected.” Singing About the Union — Artists from the Arts for Education, Inc., group had NLA delegates on their feet with their presentation of union songs and accompanying chalk artwork. The artwork was raffled off, and proceeds totaling $2,000 were contributed to Illinois nurses terminated for union activities. Denver Victory… Salt Lake Wait The 276 nurses of the Denver Veterans Affairs
Medical Center became the newest members of the UAN on July
10, after they voted overwhelmingly in favor of UAN representation.
“With 6,000 nurses in the VA system, UAN is a real force for change for VA nurses,” said UAN Vice President Ann Converso, RN, liaison to the UAN National VA Council and a VA nurse in Buffalo. “We’re looking forward to working with the Denver VA nurses to make VA facilities places nurses want to work.” In Salt Lake City, ballots from a May UAN election for the 200 nurses at the Salt Lake Regional Medical Center continue to be impounded before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). In a bid to bog down unionization at the facility, the hospital appealed the inclusion of some nurses in the bargaining unit, claiming they are “supervisors.” Legal experts expect that the NLRB in Washington, D.C. may not rule on this case ñ and the many others lined up for review as a result of last yearís infamous Kentucky River decision on nurses as supervisors ñ for months. Unions Working Together
Work Nurses got a boost in their campaign from a June 19 Voice@Work rally sponsored by the local AFL-CIO Central Labor Council (CLC). During the rally, hundreds of union members from across the city visited three locations at which workers face tough fights against anti-union bosses. The final stop on the rally tour was University Hospital, where IUOE and AFSCME also will soon have contracts up for negotiation. At last month’s NLA, University Hospital bargaining unit co-chair Mike Haas, RN, described to delegates how nurses there have seen the value of UAN affiliation with the AFL-CIO firsthand through their contract campaign. Haas’ local unit was the first in the state to affiliate with a CLC. Dates VA News The UAN NVAC will meet with VA representatives in August to begin national contract negotiations for UAN VA units. Media Scan NLA Actions Delegates passed measures: • Opposing right-to-work activities,
legislation and organizations EDITORIAL Phone: 202.651.7118 © 2002 United American Nurses, AFL-CIO. All rights reserved |
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