Former Local 5086 President and Brattleboro Retreat RN, Danielle Perry, is now working with the UNAP in Rhode Island as a union organizer.  Danielle's responsibilities include organizing LPNs, Techs, and support staff at Fatima Hospital, where the UNAP already represents RNs, as well as Kent County Hospital, the second largest hospital in Rhode Island.  Danielle can be reached at 401-831-3647, extension 19.
 

In a recent strongly worded decision, the National Labor Relations Board has found Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island guilty of threatening and disciplining employees for wearing buttons and stickers to protest the hospital's positions on issues such as mandatory overtime and medical insurance benefits.  In addition, Judge Wallace Nations found that Memorial Hospital illegally interrogated employees on the issue of whether or not they would cross a picket line in the event of a strike. 

With respect to Memorial Hospital's attempt to ban Union members from wearing Union buttons and stickers, the Judge wrote:

"The purpose of the ban and the discipline issued for violating the ban was not founded in any concern for patients' feelings, but rather, from management frustration over the progress of contract negotiations and was an attempt to punish the union."

The Judge also criticized hospital president Frank Dietz for issuing a dishonest press release that was calculated to mislead the public:

July 17, 2007

After five membership meetings, a new contract was ratified today by the RI Hospital UNAP.  The vote tally was:

YES:  323

NO:  224

Among the highlights of the agreement are:

• Wage increases ranging from 16½ - 33% over the life of the contract
• Improvements in shift differentials
• Improvements in on-call pay
• Continuation of double-time and all other overtime premiums
• Continuation of sick leave buy-back options
• Protection of all health insurance benefits
• Elimination of Lifespan Master Agreement
• Continuation of Labor-Management Liaisons

All members will receive an immediate 5% pay increase retroactive to July 1.  The new contract will expire on June 30, 2011.

CLICK HERE to read a detailed summary of the agreement
CLICK HERE to read FAQs (frequently asked questions)
CLICK HERE to see the new wage scales.

The United Nurses & Allied Professionals and Rhode Island Hospital have reached an agreement on a new four-year contract that will make Rhode Island Hospital nurses, technologists, therapists and other allied health professionals among the highest paid in the State.  The agreement was reached on Monday, July 2 after nine bargaining sessions, including a marathon, sixteen-hour session on June 28. 

CLICK HERE to read a detailed summary of the agreement.

CLICK HERE to see the new wage scales.

CLICK HERE to read FAQs (frequently asked questions.)