Northern Rhode Island UNAP Local 5067, which consists of two hospitals, Landmark Medical Center and Rehabilitation Hospital of RI, became part of United Nurses & Allied Professionals in 1998. Our Local represents Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, Pharmacists, Physical, Occupational, and Respiratory Therapists, Technicians, Technologists and other health care workers.
Location: 501 Great Rd. Unit 204 North Smithfield, RI 02896
Phone: 401-765-5527
Fax: 401-766-3788
Email: mail@nriunap.necoxmail.com
Requires Microsoft Word
RHRI Professional & Technical Contract
Our Local at Landmark Medical Center and Rehabilitation Hospital of RI represents all employees covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreements. We are affiliated with The United Nurses & Allied Professionals which is an independent Union representing over 4,500 health professionals in several New England states. Through our Union, we have an effective voice in protecting our rights and fighting for safe, quality healthcare.
All members share to support the professional services provided by our Union. We rely entirely on dues to pay for legal representation, arbitrations, research, lobbying, community relations, education, newsletters, office space, supplies and equipment, staff and other professional services.
1. Full Dues $9.64/wk.
2. Half Dues $5.06/wk. (Per Diems and anyone making less than $15/hr.)
3. Full (CNA) Dues $7.57/wk.
4. Half (CNA) Dues $4.00/wk. (Per Diems and anyone making less than $15/hr.)
Weingarten Rights guarantee an employee the right to union representation during an investigatory interview.
1. If a steward (union rep) sees a worker being interviewed in a supervisor's office, can she/he demand to attend the meeting?
Yes. A steward has a protected right to demand admission to a Weingarten interview. However, once the request is made, the employee being interviewed must indicate a desire for the steward's presence. If the employee states that she/he wishes to be interviewed alone, the steward must leave.
2. An employee was summoned to an interview with the supervisor and asked for a steward. In response, the supervisor said, "You can request a steward, but if you do, I will have to bring in the manager, and you know how temperamental she/he is. If we can keep it at the level we're at, things will be a lot better for you." Is this a violation?
Yes. The supervisor is threatening greater discipline to coerce the employee into abandoning her/his Weingarten Rights. This is an unfair labor practice.
3. An employee was ordered by the supervisor to go to the personnel office for a "talk" about her/his attitude. She/He asked to bring a union representative but the supervisor said she/he would have to make that request when they got to the office. Can the employee refuse to go to the office?
No. Weingarten Rights do not begin until the actual interview begins. The employee must go to the office and repeat her/his request to the official conducting the interview. Only if a supervisor makes it clear in advance to the employee that she/he intends to conduct an investigatory interview without union representation, does an employee have a right to refuse to go to the meeting.
4. Can management order a worker to open a locker without a steward being present?
Yes. Locker searches, car searches, or handbag searches are not interviews. Employees do not have a right to insist of the presence of a steward.
5. An employee was given a written warning about poor attendance and told she/he must participate in absence counseling sessions with a member of the personnel department. Does the worker have a right to demand the presence of a union steward at the counseling sessions?
This depends on whether the employee has a reasonable fear that the counseling sessions could result in further discipline. If notes from the sessions are kept in the employee's permanent record, or if other employees have been disciplined after counseling sessions, the employee's fears would be reasonable and would entitle him to bring a steward. But if the employer gives firm assurances that the meetings will not be used for further discipline and promises that the conversations will remain confidential, Weingarten probably would not apply.
6. If a worker is given a warning for misconduct and is asked to sign the acknowledge receipt, must the employer permit her/him to consult a steward before signing?
No. Since the employer is not questioning the worker, Weingarten Rights do not apply.
7. Can a worker insist on the presence of a lawyer before answering questions at an investigatory interview?
No. Weingarten Rights apply only to the presence of union representatives.
8. Over the weekend, a manager called a worker at home to ask questions about missing items. Did the worker have to answer the questions?
No. Weingarten Rights apply to telephone interviews. A worker who fears discipline can refuse to answer questions until she/he has a chance to consult with her steward.
9. A worker was called into the manager's office. She/He asked for her steward, but was refused. The manager said, "Yesterday you refused to work overtime. Therefore, we're giving you a one-day suspension for insubordination." Did the company violate Weingarten?
No. Weingarten Rights do not apply to meetings where employers simply announce discipline. However, if the employer starts asking questions or tries to make the employee admit guilt, Weingarten would apply and the employee can insist on the presence of a steward or other union representative before answering.
10. If a worker's steward is out sick, can the worker insist that the interview be delayed until the steward is available?
No. Management does not have to delay an investigation if other union representatives are available to assist the employee at the interview.
11. Suppose a worker's request for a steward is denied. If the supervisor continues to ask questions, can the worker walk out of the office to get a steward?
In some cases, yes. According to NLRB decisions, when an employee is entitled to union representation and the employer denies the employee's request, the employee can refuse to participate in the interview, even to the point of walking out to seek a union representative. However, if the employee is told to wait while management gets the steward, the employee must stay in the office until the steward arrives.
12. If the company calls a meeting to lecture workers about job performance, do the employees have a right to demand the presence of a union representative before attending the meeting?
No. Holding a meeting on work time that does not involve interrogation is not a Weingarten meeting. There is no right to a steward unless the employer begins asking questions of employees in a manner that creates a reasonable fear of discipline.
As of January, 2006, all hospitals in Rhode Island must report their nursing staffing plans for every patient care area and shift to the RI Department of Health.
This new Hospital Staffing Disclosure Law was passed as a result of the tireless efforts of many UNAP members and our allies.
The UNAP intends to assist health care professionals and the general public in evaluating and monitoring hospital staffing plans.
Click here to see Landmark Medical Center's current staffing plans.
ARTICLE I NAME This organization will be known as the Northern Rhode Island United Nurses and Allied Professionals, Local #5067.
ARTICLE II OBJECTIVES Section 1. To provide an effective collective bargaining representative for nurses, allied health professionals and other health care employees. Section 2. To bring UNAP Locals into relations of mutual assistance and cooperation with the Locals. Section 3. To improve the standards for Health Professionals and other health care employees by advancing economic status, promoting better preparation in basic education programs, encouraging and promoting continuing education, securing working conditions essential to the best performance of services and the most effective delivery of health care through UNAP. Section 4. To promote the welfare of the health care consumer by providing progressively better access to and utilization of health care resources in this country. Section 5. To fight all forms of bias in health care delivery due to race, creed, sex, age, sexual preference, social, political or economic status, national origin, or physical handicap. Section 6. To promote UNAP Locals participation in community health programs, health systems, agencies, as well as any other regulatory body affecting the delivery of health care. Section 7. To work for passage and retention of just laws which will improve the climate for health care consumers, nurses, allied health professionals and other health care employees.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP Section 1. All non-supervisory employees of the Landmark Medical Center and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island including nurses, health professionals, technicians and other health care employees are eligible for membership. Section 2. Supervisory personnel shall not obtain membership. Members who are promoted to positions with the rank of supervisor automatically are removed from membership on the effective date of the promotion. Section 3. Employees in public or private health care facilities outside the jurisdiction of this Local may be admitted to membership until such time as a Local is chartered in their jurisdiction. Section 4. No discrimination shall ever be shown towards individual members or applicants for membership because of race, creed, political activities or beliefs, sex, age, sexual preference, economic status, national origin or physical handicap. Section 5. A member may be expelled for acts detrimental to Local #5067 upon presentation of written charges signed by at least one-fourth (1/4) the total membership and approved by at least three-fourths (3/4) the Local's Executive Council. The member shall have the right to appeal the decision to the membership at the following membership meeting and shall be reinstated with full rights if a majority of the members present vote to reinstate.
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS Section 1. The following officers shall be elected biennially by this Local: President Senior Vice-President Vice-Presidents (4) Secretary Treasurer The four (4) Area Vice-Presidents shall be the Registered Nurse Vice- President, the Medical Professional Vice-President, and the Medical Technical Vice-President, and the Certified Nursing Assistant Vice- President. Eligibility for office shall be determined by the Election Committee. Section 2. Membership in good standing for at least one (1) year is required to hold office. This requirement shall be waived where there has been a newly certified bargaining unit. Section 3. An Election Committee made up to six (6) interested non-candidate members shall be elected by a show of hands at the first meeting of the calender year in an election year. Section 4. Elections shall be held by secret ballot during the month of April in even-numbered years. Notice of the election shall be made by mail and received by the membership at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the election. A reasonable nomination period shall precede the election and nominations must be accompanied by petitions signed by at least ten (10) members. For a candidate that is to represent a group equal to or less than fifty (50) members, nominations must be accompanied by a petitioned signed by one percent (1%) of the members within that group. Candidates receiving a plurality shall be elected. Candidates are installed immediately upon certification of election results by the Election Committee. Section 5. Vacancies in any office shall be filled by the Executive Council.
ARTICLE V COMMITTEES Section 1. The following standing committees shall be active in this Local: A) Negotiating Committees 1. LMC Negotiating Committee 2. RHRI Negotiating Committee B) Budget Committee C) Grievance Committee Section 2. Special Committees shall be appointed, assigned duties, and apportioned powers by the President and Executive Council as they deem necessary to the proper functioning of the Local.
ARTICLE VI THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Section 1. The Executive Council of this Local shall consist of all elected officers. Section 2. The Executive Council shall administer the policy of this Local as set by the membership at regular meetings. It shall have the power to act for the good of the Local in emergency situations where the policy cannot be set by the membership. The Executive Council shall not have the power to override a membership vote. Section 3. The President of the Local shall be the chairperson of the Executive Council. Section 4. The time and place of the Executive Board meeting shall be set by the Executive Council and announced at the previous membership meeting. Section 5. The Executive Council shall have the power to employ all personnel an executive secretary, clerical help, and other persons on a full or part-time basis as may be determined by the needs and finances of the Local. Section 6. The Executive Council shall have the power to make contracts and incur liabilities which may be appropriate to enable it to accomplish any or all of its purposes at such rates of interest and terms and conditions as they may deem appropriate; to issue notes, bonds, and other obligations; and to secure any of its obligations by mortgage, pledge, or deed of trust of all or any of its property and income. Section 7. The Executive Council shall report its activities at each regular membership meeting.
ARTICLE VII AFFILIATIONS Section 1. The Local shall maintain affiliation with the United Nurses & Allied Professionals (UNAP) and send delegates to the UNAP biennial convention. The Local may send one (1) delegate per twenty-five (25) members to the convention. Delegates shall be nominated in writing. A delegate may nominate her/himself or be nominated by another Union member. If nominated by another Union member, the delegate must consent to the nomination. If there is a contest for delegate seats, a notice will be sent to all members announcing the time and place of a secret ballot election. If there is no such contest, all nominees shall be seated as delegates without an election. Alternate delegates may be seated with the approval of the Executive Board. The President and Secretary shall certify and forward the credentials of all delegates to the UNAP office as soon as possible but no later than twenty (20) days before the convening of the convention. The President shall confer with the Treasurer to make sure that the per capita is no more than two (2) months in arrears before the convening of the convention. Section 2. All delegates shall make written reports to the Executive Council on meetings attended. Section 3. Every reasonable effort shall be made by this Local to pay the legitimate expenses of delegates to meetings and conventions of affiliated organizations. Section 4. The Local, to the best of its ability, shall be active in the affairs of affiliated organizations. Section 5. Delegates to affiliated organizations shall meet the same requirements as officers of this Local, that is, they must be a member in good standing of this Local for at least one (1) year.
ARTICLE VIII DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Local and of the Executive Council. He/She shall be ex-officio member of all committees (except the Audit Committee), sign all necessary papers and documents, and represent the Local when and where necessary. He/She shall make a report to the membership at least once each year summarizing the accomplishments of the Local and outlining plans for the next year. Section 2. The Senior Vice President shall serve in the place of the President in the absence of that officer. The Senior Vice President shall service the facility from which he/she comes and assist the President as needed. The Senior Vice President shall serve as the chairperson of the Grievance Committee. Section 3. The Vice-Presidents are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the collective bargaining goals of the Local are carried out on behalf of their constituents. In addition, the Vice-Presidents will assist the President, the Senior Vice President and the local stewards in handling matters of mutual concern to local members. The Vice-Presidents shall have the power to call meetings of stewards and/or members in their area of responsibility. Section 4. The Secretary shall issue all notices, shall answer all correspondence at the direction of the President and shall report outside correspondence to the President and the Executive Council. The Secretary shall record the minutes of the Executive Board and of general membership meetings. Section 5. The Treasurer shall receive, record, and deposit in the name of the Local all monies from dues and all other sources. He/She shall keep the membership roll, issue receipts, and delinquency notices. He/She shall forward all per capita dues and current membership lists to the Office of the United Nurses and Allied Professionals and to other affiliated organizations to keep this Local in good standing at all times. Special care shall be taken to see that per capita tax is not more than two (2) months in arrears prior to the opening date of the UNAP Convention to make sure delegates from this Local may be seated. The Treasurer shall be Chairperson of the Budget Committee. He/She shall present a written report to all members once each year. The Treasurer shall pay all bills authorized by the adopted budget, retaining voucher or invoice for same. Expenses not authorized in the budget must be presented to the Executive Council for authorization.
ARTICLE IX DUTIES OF STANDING COMMITTEES Section 1. The Negotiating Committee will prepare and substantiate salary and other contract proposals. They will present these proposals for approval of the membership and then shall negotiate these proposals with the employer. Section 2. The Budget Committee shall aid the Treasurer in handling local funds and perform an oversight function with regard to local finances. The Budget Committee shall prepare a budget for adoption by the membership at least one (1) month prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year. The fiscal year shall be July 1 through June 30. Section 3. The Grievance Committee shall act on all grievances submitted in writing to the Executive Council. It shall present to the Executive Council a procedure for handling grievances. This Committee shall cause the procedure to be publicized as widely as possible.
ARTICLE X MEETINGS Section 1. The time and place of meetings shall be fixed by the President. Special meetings will be fixed by the Executive Council. Section 2. There shall be at least two (2) meetings per year. Section 3. A quorum shall consist of five percent (5%) of the total membership.
ARTICLE XI FINANCE Section 1. Regular dues shall be fixed by a majority secret ballot by members present at any regular meeting. Providing notice of the contemplated dues increase has been announced by mail at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting date. Section 2. Additional finances may be obtained by fund raising activities. Section 3. The Treasurer books shall be audited yearly.
ARTICLE XII RULES OF ORDER Roberts Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern in all cases not covered by this Constitution or by the By-Laws of this Local.
ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS Section 1. This Constitution may be amended by submitting a proposed amendment(s) at any regular membership meeting. Such proposal(s) shall be read to the assembled members. Approval by three-fourths (¾) of the members present shall be sufficient to adopt the proposed amendment. Section 2. By-Laws may be amended by submitting proposed amendment(s) at any regular membership meeting. Such proposal(s) shall be read to the assembled members. Approval by a majority of the members present shall be sufficient to adopt the proposed amendment.
ARTICLE XIV AVAILABILITY OF CONSTITUTION Section 1. Three copies of this Constitution and all future amendments shall be submitted to the Office of the United Nurses and Allied Professionals. Section 2. Copies shall be made available to other affiliated organizations upon request to the Secretary. Section 3. Copies shall be available for any member of this Local upon request to the Secretary.
ARTICLE XV BY-LAWS 1. Effective January 1, 2002 and each January 1 thereafter, Local dues shall be adjusted upward by, but not more than, the cost of living index (CPI-U) for the relevant period of the previous year as calculated for the northeast region of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. CNA's, other service employees and maintenance employees shall pay 25% less than the Local dues set forth herein. 2. Members who work one-half (½) the regular work week or less shall pay the UNAP dues rates plus one-half (½) the Local dues. 3. Members with an annual income of less than twelve thousand dollars ($12,000) or amount mandated by the UNAP shall pay one-half (½) the regular monthly dues. 4. A member on an unpaid leave of absence, or who is not receiving monies from the Landmark Medical Center and/or Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island, shall be considered an inactive member, not liable for dues during that period. The Treasurer must be notified as soon as possible. The member shall become liable for dues upon return to work. 5. A member on a paid leave of absence, receiving monies from the Landmark Medical Center and/or Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island shall be subject to regular payment of dues to remain in good standing. 6. Members who choose not to pay dues by payroll deduction shall pay the annual amount for the fiscal year beginning July 1st through June 30th , and shall be responsible for payment of per capita increases during that year. Annual payments shall be mailed to the Treasurer by May 30th of each year. 7. A Negotiating Team for each facility shall be appointed by the President. Any elected officer from a facility shall serve on that facility's Negotiating Team. A Negotiating Team Recording Secretary shall be elected from the team members. 8. With respect to Local #5067, it shall be a chargeable offence for a member to knowingly work for the employer against whom a strike has been called. Charges against a member not honoring a strike shall be made in writing, signed by the member or members making such charges and presented to the President. The Secretary shall send a copy of the letter to the accused party. If the party feels that he/she has been unjustly accused, a hearing will be scheduled with the Executive Council and members involved. Where charges are upheld, the member will be fined seventy-five percent (75%) of their net pay. 9. An officer who misses three (3) consecutive meetings of the Executive Council without being excused by said Council, shall be notified by the President and allowed to be present and have a hearing at the next regular Executive Council meeting. He/She may be removed at said meeting upon a motion, seconded and a majority vote of the Executive Council. 10. An officer who misses a total of four (4) consecutive regular membership meetings without just cause (sickness or personal emergency constitutes just cause) shall be removed from the Executive Council. 11. Representatives. About ten (10) Representatives from LMC and about five(5) Representatives from RHRI will be appointed by the President. Any Representative who misses two (2) consecutive monthly Rep meetings without being excused shall be removed from his/her position by a vote of the Executive Council. The member shall be notified of his/her status by mail. 12. With respect to Local #5067, any new employee who has not joined the Union in sixty (60) days from their hire date will be charged a seventy-five dollar ($75.00) penalty fee, which shall be PAID to the Union Treasurer upon signing a membership card. 13. With respect to Local #5067, a member who resigns from the Union will not be eligible to rejoin without paying a Reinstatement Fee of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) which shall be PAID to the Union Treasurer upon signing a membership card.
Last Revised: January 18, 2006
President
Jan Peso, RN Cath Lab 6:30am-4:30pm
Senior Vice President
Nina Rotatori, Cat Scan Tech 11pm-7am
Treasurer
Pat Hazebrouck, RN PACU 7am-3pm
Medical Professional Vice President
Joe Azar, Phamacist 7am-3pm
Medical Technical Vice President
Chuck Constantineau, Lab Tech 11pm-7am
Nursing Vice President
Diane King, RN OR 7am-3pm
CNA Vice President
Tina Rose, CNA Mental Health 7am-3pm
Secretary
Lisa Beauregard, CNA RHRI 11pm-7am
Union Reps: LMC
Vic Caron, RN ED 11pm-7am
Martha Charley, RN PCU 7am-3pm
Carol Franz, RN LDRP 3pm-11pm
Brenda Schobel, RN Med/Surg 7am-3pm
Union Reps: RHRI
Roger Beaudreault, CNA 3pm-11pm
Kou Dorley, Respiratory Therapist 7pm-7am
As of January 31, 2006, all hospitals in Rhode Island must report their nursing staffing plans for every patient care area and shift to the RI Department of Health.
This new Hospital Staffing Disclosure Law was passed as a result of the tireless efforts of many UNAP members and our allies.
The UNAP intends to assist health care professionals and the general public in evaluating and monitoring hospital staffing plans.
Click here to see Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island's current staffing plans.
Denise Boulanger was the President of Northern RI UNAP Local 5067 from it's inception in 1984 and remained President until 1994. This scholarship was named after Denise by the Scholarship Committee in 1993. Denise served on numerous committees dealing with health care and Union issues. She was known for her honesty and perseverance when dealing with issues of health care workers and their families.
ELIGIBILITY:
The applicant must be a member or child of a member in good standing of Local 5067.
The applicant should have applied to an institution of higher learning.
All information requested must be supplied by the applicant.
HOW TO APPLY:
Carefully fill in all information requested. (Any false information will void this application).
Applications must be complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applications must be returned to the Union Office by Wednesday October 17, 2007.
Applications for this scholarship will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee.
Click here for application (requires Microsoft Word).
RULES AND REGULATIONS:
Awards are for the current year and must be presented to the recipient (member or child) at the Union Office.
Please note: We will be publicizing the winners of the scholarships.
There will be two (2) scholarships available for $500 each.
The recipient will receive a check in the amount of the scholarship awarded once verification of registration for the semester at the respective school has been received by the Scholarship Committee.
This scholarship money will remain designated for the winner for one (1) year, if not used in this time, the money shall be forfeited by the recipient and returned for future scholarships.
June 6, 2007
Treasurer's Report
Dear Colleagues:
Fiscal year 2006/2007 will close on June 30, 2007. The Budget Committee met on 5/7/07 to review expenses (actual and projected) for this current fiscal year and has prepared a budget that will be voted on today at the membership meetings for fiscal year 2007/2008.
Despite having unprecedented expenses for contract negotiations and arbitrations this year, our treasury remains financially sound. Contract negotiations cost the local $19,876 but were reduced by $10,000 after receiving a very generous donation from UNAP. Arbitration expenses were unusually high this year, totaling $4,730. Examples of grievances sent to arbitration included sick time use, disciplinary action, and job posting with member denial language. An adjustment was made in next year's budget in the event the Local incurs similar expenses.
In February 2007 our dues structure changed after a special UNAP convention convened and voted to adopt a new dues structure which eliminated quarter dues for professional, technical, and CNA members. About 37 members were affected by the change (mostly per diem RN's and CNA's). The new dues structure can also be viewed on our website.
In the last few months our business banking needs have been transferred from the Blackstone River Federal Credit Union to Citizens Bank. The Local currently has (2) checking accounts and a linked Money Market account with Citizens Bank. One checking account is exclusively for payroll expenses. By switching to Citizens Bank, the Local will gain the attention of a personal business banker and will obtain preferred business rates of interest for money market and CD accounts.
Our annual financial compilation will be done by Paul Sarza CPA at the end of this fiscal year. His report should be completed by September 30, 2007 and will be available for any member to review. Please call the office to schedule a time with Jodi to review if interested.
Per our Constitution, Local dues will be adjusted each July 1st to cover any dues increase which will be voted on by the UNAP joint executive board based on, but not exceeding, the cost of living index as of April 1, 2007. I will update members in July if there will be any increase in dues. The last Local increase was in January 2006.
If any member is interested in serving on the Budget committee which meets about twice a year please leave a message at the office for me at 401-765-5527 and I will contact you.
Thank you.
Pat Hazebrouck, Treasurer Local 5067
