United Nurses & Allied Professionals - All UNAP News

Arbitrator: Safety concerns justified Westerly RNs objections to ICU admission

Tue, 12 May 2009 12:04:06 -0400

The UNAP has won a very significant arbitration award which reversed the disciplinary suspension of four ICU nurses at Westerly Hospital. After three days of hearings, arbitrator Mark Irvings found that the nurses had a "reasonable belief that accepting the patient into the ICU could pose an unacceptable risk to their health and safety, and possibly that of the other patients in the ICU."

The arbitrator noted that while employees must ordinarily "work now and grieve later", this situation was extraordinary because the ICU nurses had been told that:

the patient had been brought into the Emergency Room by police and paramedics
the patient claimed he was Hep-C and possibly HIV positive and didn't care
the patient was pulling out his IV and threatening others with his blood
the patient was being certified as a danger to himself and others
the patient required a constant police presence
while monitored by a police officer and orderly, it was still necessary to call for additional police

In a separate action, the Rhode Island Nurse Licensure Board also dismissed complaints that had been filed against the nurses. To read the arbitration decision, click here.

RI Hospital UNAP members overwhelmingly reject Lifespan givebacks

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:27:07 -0400

RI Hospital UNAP members voted overwhelmingly today by 876 to 14 to reject a Lifespan proposal to reduce wages and benefits. The proposed givebacks have already been imposed on non-union employees throughout the Lifespan system.

At the five membership meetings held throughout the day, UNAP members repeatedly voiced their disapproval of the Lifespan proposals. Nurses, respiratory therapists, diagnostic imaging techs and others expressed skepticism about the need for permanent cuts in wages and benefits, noting the fact that Lifespan hospitals are the wealthiest and most profitable in Rhode Island. Union members also expressed anger about CEO salary increases and recent bonuses paid to Lifespan executives.

Union President, Linda McDonald, RN noted during the meeting that “our members contribute to RI Hospital every day – working very hard to take care of very sick patients. In addition, we have done our part in the past by making some concessions during our contract negotiations.” But, she added, “a contract is a contract, and both sides must live with its terms.”

Say NO to Lifespan Givebacks!

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:23:59 -0400

On Wednesday, March 18, Lifespan announced wage & benefit “takeaways” for all non-union employees, and asked the UNAP to agree to similar givebacks, including eliminating a scheduled 4% increase on July 1. The RI Hospital UNAP Executive Board has unanimously recommended that members reject the proposal because Lifespan is financially healthy. Click here to read more.

UNAP launches The eFlame -- an electronic newsletter

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:45:21 -0400

The UNAP has published its premier edition of The eFlame, an electronic version of the UNAP newsletter. The eFlame is distributed to over 5,000 members and non-members, and contains articles and links to important developments in labor, health care, and each UNAP local.

To read The eFlame, click here. To subscribe to The eFlame, click here.

RI legislators propose Hospital Merger Accountability Act

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:07:29 -0500

Imagine if a hospital purchase or merger enabled a private hospital company to acquire ownership of a majority of all the hospital beds in Rhode Island. This company would have extraordinary influence on the cost, quality and access to health care services; the economy of Rhode Island; the health care labor market; and the overall health of Rhode Islanders.

To protect the public's interest in the event of such a merger, State Senator Mary Ellen Goodwin and State Representative Peter Wasylyk have introduced legislation entitled the "Hospital Merger Accountability Act", which would provide greater transparency, accountability and oversight of any merged hospital system that acquires ownership of more than 50% of all hospital beds in Rhode Island. Click here to read S-0780 (Goodwin) and H-5702 (Wasylyk).

Linda McDonald re-elected President of RI Hospital UNAP

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:36:44 -0500

On Friday, December 12, the RI Hospital UNAP re-elected President Linda McDonald, RN to serve for a new, three-year term. Linda defeated Respiratory Therapist Mike Martin by a total of 401 to 201. In an email following the vote, Linda thanked all RI Hospital UNAP members, as well as the election committee that oversaw the voting, and committed herself to working to improve conditions for all UNAP members. She urged all members to get involved to make the UNAP as strong as it can be.

Kent Hospital RNs vote to join the UNAP

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:12:32 -0400

October 24, 2008 - Registered Nurses at Kent Hospital in Warwick, Rhode Island voted yesterday by a count of 290 to 214 to join the UNAP, the largest health care union in RI. It was the largest union organizing victory in RI since RI Hospital nurses and techs voted to join the UNAP in 1993.

Deborah Almeida, a 27-year Kent Hospital nurse, expressed jubilation at the results of the election. "In recent years, Kent has become like a big business and staff morale has been low. But, now, by being organized, we have a tremendous opportunity to improve conditions for nurses and for patients."

Diane Ardito, an Emergency Room nurse who has worked at Kent for the past two years, said, "Until now, nurses’ concerns about poor staffing have fallen on deaf ears. With the backing of the UNAP, we will have a stronger voice, and we will be heard." Ardito added, "We can make Kent so much better."

Fatima nurses ratify contract; break new ground on staffing protections

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:37:04 -0400

Nurses at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, members of the United Nurses & Allied Professionals, voted overwhelmingly today to approve a new contract agreement. The vote was 200 to 3.

“We set two goals for ourselves in this round of negotiations: to improve staffing and to secure a competitive wage and benefit package,” said Lynn Blais, a Registered Nurse and President of the Local. “With the unwavering support of our membership and allies, we were able to achieve both.”

During the protacted negotiations, nurses publicly voiced concerns that they had filed over 400 complaints about potentially unsafe staffing situations at Fatima Hospital in recent years -- and that the Hospital had responded to none of them. In addition, the UNAP noted that Fatima frequently failed to even staff at the levels that they have publicly reported to the RI Department of Health.

Studies have repeatedly shown that inadequate nurse-to-patient staffing levels increase the risk of injury, and even death, to patients.

Keep the faith at Fatima!

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:36:01 -0400

Nurses at Fatima Hospital, a proud Catholic institution, take pride in the compassionate, quality care that they give to their patients. But the nurses have lost faith in the the hospital's administration. It seems that Bishop Tobin and Fatima's Board of Director are drifting away from their primary mission to provide quality care.

CLICK HERE to send an email letter to John Fogarty, Fatima Hospital President & CEO, and Bishop Thomas Tobin, Fatima Hospital Chairman of the Board and Treasurer to urge them to show good faith in responding to the concerns of their nurses, and to practice what they preach!

Over the past 3 1/2 years, nurses have filed over 400 complaints about potentially unsafe staffing situations at Fatima Hospital -- over 100 in the past six months alone! Fatima does not even staff at the levels that they have publicly reported to the RI Department of Health.

Save Landmark Medical Center

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:34:07 -0400

Landmark Medical Center has served the people of Northern Rhode Island since 1873 when it was founded as Woonsocket Hospital “for the relief, cure and general care of the sick.”

Landmark Medical Center has the third busiest emergency room in the State. Landmark provides essential medical services to the community and has been recognized by the RI Department of Health as one of the most cost-effective hospitals in Rhode Island. Landmark also serves as an economic engine to northern Rhode Island, providing good jobs to more than 1,000 employees.

Yet, largely because of inadequate payment for the services it provides, Landmark Medical Center is in dire financial condition. As a result, the State has assigned a “Special Master” to help develop a plan for Landmark’s survival, and the hospital’s fate now rests with our State officials.

For the sake of its patients, employees, and the entire community, Landmark must remain a full-service, non-profit, locally-controlled community hospital that is responsive to the needs of the people of northern Rhode Island.

UNAP to host Professional Issues Conference on Tuesday, June 10

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:21:42 -0400

The UNAP will host its bi-annual Professional Issues Conference on Tuesday, June 10 from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM at the RI Convention Center. For more information, click here.

Local 5086 elections coming up in May

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:43:10 -0400

May 19, 2008 is the next Membership meeting. We will be voting on the budget and also holding elections that day. The meetings will be at 8am, 2pm and 4pm, the place will be announced.

Retreat contract signed

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:55:57 -0400

The new Retreat contract was signed on Monday, April 7. We are waiting to get the copies back from the printer. As soon as we receive them, we will distribute them to all our members. Stay tuned...

Rhode Island's new mandatory overtime now in effect

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 13:24:34 -0500

Rhode Island's new mandatory overtime law became effective on Tuesday, March 4. The new law prohibits hospitals from forcing nurses and nurse's aides to work beyond their scheduled shift, except in true emergencies.

The UNAP has prepared a variety of materials to educate members about their new legal rights -- including posters, fact sheets, badge cards, mandatory overtime documentation forms, and additional questions & answers. For printed copies of these materials, contact the UNAP at 401-831-3647.

If you believe your rights under the new mandatory overtime law have been violated, please complete a mandatory overtime documentation form and call the UNAP as soon as possible at 401-831-3647.

State House rally urges override of mandatory overtime veto

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 17:20:46 -0400

On Monday, September 24, over 100 health care workers and allies gathered outside the RI State House to urge the Legislature to override Governor Carcieri's veto of a mandatory overtime bill that would prohibit hospitals from forcing nurses and nurse's aides to work beyond their scheduled shift, except in true emergencies.

UNAP President, Linda McDonald, called the Governor's veto a "travesty," and accused the Governor of turning his back on patients and caregivers in Rhode Island.

Click here to read Providence Journal coverage of the event.

Click here to send an email to your State legislators urging them to override the Governor's veto.
To urge the House leadership to override the veto, call 401-222-2466.
To urge the Senate leadership to override the veto, call 401-222-6655.