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November 14th, 2008

Attention! Attention! Attention! Attention!

Home Health And Hospice Nurses Ad Hoc Group Meeting originally scheduled for Saturday, November 22, 2008 has been changed to January 31, 2009.

The Home Health & Hospice Ad Hoc Meeting scheduled for Saturday, November 22, 2008 has been rescheduled for January 31, 2009. This delay will allow us to obtain preliminary results from the Home Health and Hospice Nursing Survey, Oregon, 2008 and to begin data analysis. The focus of the meeting in January will be drafting a report.

Thank you for your patience, and your generous commitment of time and talent. I look forward to seeing you January 31, 2009 and continuing this important work.

Sincerely,

Susan Hendershot Link, R.N., C.N.S., Ph.D.
Nursing Practice Consultant
503-293-0011 ext. 315
Cell: 360-931-7570
503-293-0013 (fax)
link@oregonrn.org

Questions: Please contact Linda Sidney.
sidney@oregonrn.org or 503 293-0011 ext 319

Linda Sidney, BSW, CMP
Administrative Assistant, EGW
Oregon Nurses Association
18765 SW Boones Ferry Rd. Suite 200
Tualatin, OR 97062-8498
(503) 293-0011 or 1-800-634-3552 (x319)
Fax (503) 293-0013
sidney@oregonrn.org
www.oregonrn.org

September 11th, 2008

JOIN THE ONA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

***POSITIONS OPEN:
CHAIRPERSON
SECRETARY
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
FUNRAISER
PROFESSIONAL NURSING CARE COMMITTEE (3 positions open)

ON THE JOB TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED-FOR INFORMATION CONTACT ANY EC MEMBER ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD IN OCTOBER ONA/RVMC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETS THE FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH AT 1930 IN SMULLEN.

FILL OUT YOUR CONSENT TO SERVE AND PLACE IN THE ONA MAILBOX LOCATED IN THE CAFETERIA BARGAINING UNIT MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO ATTEND.

DUTIES: The Executive Committee shall be composed of elected or appointed ONA members in good standing and act as a steering committee to conduct the day to day business of the ONA/RVMC with respect to the objectives outlines in the ONA/RVMC and ONA Bylaws in cooperation with the ONA and ONA staff. Meetings shall be held monthly at such time and place determined by the EC. All EC meetings shall be open to any B/U member but, only EC members may vote on issues presented to the EC. The EC, by majority vote, may call a special session which shall be open to EC members only to discuss sensitive issues. Minutes shall be kept of these sessions but may be excluded from the general B/U minutes at the discretion of the EC and kept in possession of the EC Secretary.

TERM OF OFFICE: The term of office for all Officers will commence on the EC meeting date in November following the October election and shall last for two (2) years or until a successor is elected. Eligibility to serve as such shall be prescribed in these Bylaws.

CHAIRPERSON:
7.2.5.1a: Conduct and supervise the affairs of the ONA/RVMC in accordance with these Bylaws;
7.2.5.1b: Serve as an ex-officio member of all ONA/RVMC committees;
7.2.5.1c: Appoint special committees and their members with the approval of the EC;
7.2.5.1d: Fill vacancies that occur on committees with the approval of the EC until the next regular election;
7.2.5.1e: In conjunction with the Treasurer, disburse or order the disbursement of all monies necessary to pay the bills, obligations and indebtedness of RVMC/ONA, which have been properly incurred as provided herein; 7.2.5.1f: Enforce these Bylaws and see that all officers perform their respective duties;
7.2.5.1g: Serve as a representative on the ONA Task Force Committee;
7.2.5.1h: Serve as a member of the Negotiating Committee;
7.2.5.1i: In conjunction with the Secretary and Membership Chair, confirm that nominees are members in good standing and are willing to serve;
7.2.5.1j: Provide information to the general public as directed by the Executive Committee.

SECRETARY:
7.2.5.3a: Send out meeting notices as directed;
7.2.5.3b: Collect names of nominees for elected positions and construct a ballot for the names submitted and post the ballot in accordance with Article 5.1.6;
7.2.5.3c: Confirm that the nominees are willing to serve and when there is no Membership Chair, ensure the nominee is in good standing;
7.2.5.3d: Verify that amendments to the Bylaws are properly submitted;
7.2.5.3e: Record, maintain and archive minutes for all Executive Committee Meetings;
7.2.5.3f: Sit on the Elections Committee, if not currently running for office;
7.2.5.3g: Conduct correspondence as directed by the Executive Committee.

MEMBERSHIP CHAIR:
7.2.5.6a: Ensures that all new hires are contacted in a timely fashion to discuss the membership in the RVMC/ONA and the ONA, ensures new hires are provided with a copy of the collective bargaining agreement, these Bylaws, an ONA membership application and to ensure that the new hires are introduced to the new hire’s unit steward;
7.2.5.6b: Ensures that membership records accurately reflect who are: a) members in good standing; b) members in bad standing; c) fair share members; d) bona fide religious objectors; e) new hires that are potential members; and f) non- members. The Membership Chair will ensure that the list is updated on a quarterly basis and before every vote of the B/U.

COMMUNICATIONS CO-CHAIRS:
7.2.5.9a: May consist of one website and one newsletter Chairperson;
7.2.5.9b: Both will be responsible for providing information to B/U members regarding meetings, events and activities;
7.2.5.9c: Provide information to the general public as directed by the EC;
7.2.5.9d: Special Responsibilities: 1) Website Chairperson maintains and updates the Website as directed by the EC.
2) Newsletter Chairperson publishes a minimum of four Newsletters per year

FUND RAISER CHAIR/CO-CHAIRS:
7.2.5.10a: Provides direction and a plan of action complete with budget for B/U Fund Raising and public relations activities

PROFESSIONAL NURSING CARE COMMITTEE:
7.3.4.1: Composition: The PNCC will be composed of the PNCC Chair and at least five (5) members in good standing, elected by the B/U membership per the collective bargaining agreement, Article 15.1
7.3.4.2: Duties:
7.3.4.2a: Make recommendations for educational and training programs compatible with identified hospital goals;
7.3.4.2b: Receive unsafe staffing reports from the Task Force. Take steps to address issues raised in unsafe staffing reports when necessary;
7.3.4.2c: Make timely reports to the EC and ONA concerning unsafe staffing reports and educational and training programs;
7.3.4.2d: Make recommendations to the facility of ways and means to improve patient care;
7.3.4.2e: Make reports to outside agencies with the approval of the EC and ONA; and
7.3.4.2f: Those duties as specified within the collective bargaining agreement.

AUGUST 9TH, 2008

PROVIDENCE MEDFORD MEDICAL CENTER HAS JUST VOTED TO BE REPRESENTED BY THE OREGON NURSES ASSOCIATION. STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

reprinted from the Meford Mail Tribune Tuesday August 12th Edition

Nurses at Providence Medford Medical Center have voted to unionize.

The nurses will be represented by the Oregon Nurses Association, the state's oldest and largest nurses union, which represents about 11,500 registered nurses.

Providence nurses voted 121-79 in favor of union representation, with about 80 percent of the eligible nurses casting votes. All registered nurses who provide direct patient care were eligible to vote, except for a small number of on-call nurses who work very limited hours. The bargaining unit will represent about 260 nurses, said Minh Nguyen, a Portland-based labor organizer for ONA.

Nguyen said nurses have been disappointed in recent years with a decline in their working relationship with hospital managers and a lack of continuity as a number of high-level managers left Providence Medford.

Nurses want "a direct and meaningful voice in how decisions are made on a regular and meaningful basis," she said.

Tom Hanenburg, chief executive for Providence Health System in Southern Oregon, said "I think we allow multiple opportunities for nurses to have input in the work environment. We'll work with ONA to continue to make that happen."

Money was not an issue in the union discussions, Nguyen said.

"In all of our meetings wages never came up," she said. "Rogue Valley Medical Center nurses tend to make more money, but many of these (Providence) nurses made a conscious decision to come to Providence to give quality patient care and be involved in decision making."

Hanenburg said Providence pays nurses "competitive" wages.

Nurses are in short supply in Oregon and across the United States. Many nurses are nearing retirement age, and the need for nurses of all kinds is expected to rise as baby boomers develop age-related health problems.

Hanenburg said the National Labor Relations Board will first certify the election results, and then ONA will put together a bargaining team to negotiate a contract. Collective bargaining can take a few months or as long as a year, he said.

Providence nurses had strong feelings on both sides of the issue, said Susan Bruce, an intensive care nurse who has 13 years experience at Providence and worked on the union organizing committee.

"We wanted to have more input in the things that affect patient care," Bruce said.

Oregon has about 44,000 registered nurses, and about one-fourth of them are ONA members. ONA represents nurses at 28 Oregon hospitals, including Rogue Valley Medical Center, Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls and Mercy Hospital in Roseburg.

Nurses at Ashland Community Hospital are not unionized.

Reach reporter Bill Kettler at 776-4492 or e-mail:bkettler@mailtribune.com

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New Contract Signed!!

August 8th, 2008

Yesterday at RVMC's South Lobby in a celebration of completion of the 2008 Negotiations for a new Nursing contract with the Oregon Nurses Asssociation, the formal signing of the contract was completed. Sparkeling cider and white linen accentuated the feeling of completion and a feeling of understanding between the Hospital management Team and the ONA Nurses Team. The Folowing Link will send you to the new 2008-2011 ONA contract.

Click Here for 2008-2011 Contract

The new printed contracts will be available in 3-4 weeks and will be delivered to you by your Unit Reps. Please refer to the above link in the interim. Once again, your negotiations team would lke to thank all of the Nurses at RVMC for your continued support. You're the Best!!!

May 25th,2008

Did you get an email survey from Healthcare United?

If so, be aware! It has come to our attention that many RNs throughout the country received e-mails during Nurses Week from an organization called Healthcare United, asking them to take an online survey about healthcare policy. This organization is a front for Service Employees United International (SEIU). When you take the survey, you are giving SEIU permission to use your personal information in its nationwide campaign against state nurses' associations. The following language is in the fine print of the "User Agreement" you must sign to take the survey:

-The personal information that SEIU collects on the Website helps us, our state and local affiliates and SEIU-related organizations to efficiently and effectively represent our members, to pursue our advocacy agenda, and to provide valuable member benefits.

-In order to advance these goals and activities, we may share the personal information that we collect about you with our state and local affiliates and other SEIU-related organizations, as well as third parties that perform services on our behalf. Additionally, subject to applicable law, we may share any of the personal information that we collect about you with certain third parties that share our interests.

We encourage all ONA members NOT to complete surveys sent by Healthcare United. To really do something about the future of health care in our nation and our state, get in touch with ONA's Government Relations department at 503 293 0011 ext 306.

Oregon Nurses Association
18765 SW Boones Ferry Road, Suite 200
Tualatin, OR 97062
503-293-0011
800-634-3552 (Oregon Only)
Fax: 503-293-0013
www.oregonrn.org

To Contact Your Local ONA, Click Here: info@roguevalleyrn.com

What, is SOCLC and why are they important to us?

By Nancy T McGrath
SOCLC member for ONA/RVMC
March 12th,2007

RVMC ONA Bargaining Unit belongs to the Southern Oregon Central Labor Council

1. What is the labor council and what do they do?

The SOCLC is a group of labor union delegates that meets once a month at the Labor Temple in Central point. Their function is to discuss the latest actions of advocates in the Labor Movement and actions taken by management against the workers. Make decisions whom to activate and how to combat the problem.

2. Some of the Unions that belong are: SEIU, IBEW and about 30 others.

3. How do they help with a problem?

All Unions have large phone and mailing lists. Members are notified and asked to spread the word and apply pressure where needed and possible.

4. Do they have money?

Yes, each union pays a per capita few for a designated number of members.

5. How is this money spent?

When a bargaining unit wants a donation to fund a training session SOCLC gives grants. We also send people to various conventions and meeting. Like the AFL/CIO convention.

6. Have they ever given the RVMC BU money.

Yes, many times to fund unit rep training, grievance training and other educational ventures.

7. What else have they done for us?

Do you remember the green stickers worn on the hard hats of the construction workers during the last negotiation when the Hospital was under construction? That was the result of the SOCLC asking other unions to give a visible show of support. That was the day the Hospital caved in to many of our requests, and our contract was settled shortly after.

The SOCLC will be a major source of power and support in our upcoming negotiating. We are in need of 2 people to serve on the council. It is once a month on the second Tuesday. They meet at 6 PM for an hour (and only an hour).

I have been your SOCLC representative for 3 ye, a, r, s. It is one of the most interesting things I do in ONA. I have met high ranking politicians, National Labor Officials, Judges and may other interesting people. If you want to be on the cutting edge of the political or labor scene let some one know by phone or at RogueValleyRN.com

Frequently asked questions about the ONA

1) WHAT IS THE ONA?

ONA is a 100 year old multipurpose organization - a union and a professional association which provides: collective bargaining/ organizing, legislative action, education and practice research. ONA a constituent of the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the United American Nurses (UAN)- the national labor arm of the ONA. websites:
ONA www.oregonrn.org
UAN www.uannurse.org

2) HOW MANY MEMBERS AND WHO IS REPRESENTED?

ONA represents 10,000 nurses statewide. 94% of members are staff RN's represented under a union contract. ONA nurses have contracts in approximately 50 different bargaining units, Bay Area Hospital, Rogue Valley Medical Center, Sacred Heart Medical Center, Good Samaritan Medical Center, and others. 3 of the 4 CHI facilities in the state (Holy Rosary-Ontario, St. Elizabeth's-Baker City, St. Anthony's-Pendleton) are represented by ONA.

3) HOW MUCH ARE DUES?

Dues for full membership (ONA, UAN, ANA ) are approx. $60.00 a month. If a nurse works 64 hours a month or less, the dues are half price. There is no initiation fee.

4) WHO RUNS ONA?

ONA is governed by a 13 member Board of Directors, all nurses are elected by the membership. The labor program is governed by a 7 member Economic and General Welfare cabinet of staff RNs. Day to day operation of ONA is by a professional staff. The three directors (executive, labor, practice) are all registered nurses.

5) STRIKES?

In the last 20 years, ONA staff has supported nurses to successfully negotiate 480 contracts. In that time only 4 bargaining units have gone on strike (including Rogue Valley Medical Center in 1987 and OHSU in 2001) representing less than 1% of all contracts negotiated. Strike is the absolute last tactic used in bargaining and it is the decision of the nurses at the hospital if they want to use that tactic. OHSU nurses voted twice to go on strike before they walked out in 2001.

6) HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE?

Nurses come together to support change at the hospital in which they work. They begin by assessing the level of support. If there is overwhelming support to organize, nurses will be asked to sign authorization cards (which the employer never sees) in support of ONA. The organizing committee will then ask the hospital for recognition of the union (with cards being verified by an independent 3rd party, confidentially). If the administration says "NO", the Organizing Committee will file for an election with the National Labor Relations Committee (NLRB). An election, is generally set for 30-40 days from the date of filing for an election.

What is the PNCC?

The PNCC stands for the Professional Nursing Care Committee. The committee is formed to consider matters regarding patient care and nursing practice, which are not proper subjects for Collective Bargaining.

The Chair is Cindy Mosser, the management liaison is Ann Shevlin, and Lori Grow is the second member. The PNCC consists of five ONA staff nurses, one management member, two management participants and Sue Davidson, the professional Nursing Director from ONA as a consultant. Kathy Breitenbach and Iris Regan have resigned to become clinical man, agers and Diane Divita’s term is now up. The length of office for the PNCC is two years. Five PNCC members are paid up to two hours of pay per month. We meet on the third Wednesday of every month at 1530 – 1730.

In the last year the PNCC has received a monthly report on achieving “Magnet Status” and is able to dialogue and have input to assist the hospital with the Magnet process. The PNCC also is looking at processes in the hospital on specific units. We invite nurses from different units on a monthly basis to review problems that have come up such as staffing, nursing care issues, and magnet committees. The PNCC receives a report from the RVMC/ONA Taskforce to include unsafe staffing forms. A PNCC Committee member attends the task force on a monthly basis to exchange information and give a report.

If you are interested in becoming a part of our committee please contact any ONA Executive Committee Board member or contact Cindy Mosser at 14434 or 779-9127 or cmosserrn1@earthlink.net

House Bill 2800 informatin can be seen by -- Clicking Here

The Nightingale Pledge

I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.

E-Mail: info@roguevalleyrn.com

To visit OHSU's new Website click on the OHSU Icon below. We will also list them on our links page.
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Click Here to organize your workplace!