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- The RNs and LPNs at Essex Valley Visiting Nurse Association in East Orange, N.J., chose Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals representation in January as more than 60 nurses joined the AFT-affiliated Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE). The vote was more than 5-to-1 in favor of the union. The Essex Valley VNA (EVVNA), founded in 1902, was purchased by New Community Corporation in August last year, and the nurses sought a union election date in November. The vote was delayed, however, when the employer unsuccessfully attempted to remove field RNs from the unit, claiming the nurses were supervisors. "We were frustrated by the delay," says EVVNA nurse Balmatee Naidoo, "but very, very happy to see the election go forward." The nurses began their movement toward unionization, as well as toward building community support, because they were concerned about working conditions and patient care. The union is in touch with some 75 labor, community and faith-based organizations about its efforts to improve patient care services and to rebuild staffing, which has declined since last summer. "The pressures on the home care nurse are overwhelming," says HPAE president Ann Twomey. "As unionized nurses, we can better advocate for our patients, our profession, and ourselves."
- More than 460 health professionals became members of the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals Jan. 24, when Kaiser Permanente Northwest gave the group automatic union recognition. The employees, who did not need to mount an election campaign, were recognized voluntarily--the result of a labor-management partnership forged more than three years ago. "The Kaiser Permanente partnership certainly played a huge role in attracting professionals to the union," says OFNHP president Kathy Schmidt. "They recognize that this is a place where employees and the employer can sit down and discuss the best way to provide quality patient care." OFNHP already represents some 1,600 Kaiser Permanente workers. The new unit of workers includes non-registered nurse health care professionals such as nurse practitioners; physician assistants; mental health therapists; nurse midwives; drug dependency, cancer and genetic counselors; and physical and occupational therapists.
- Some 30 certified nurse assistants (CNAs) at Sunrise Health Care Facility in Jonesport, Maine, voted 19 to 5 in favor of representation by FNHP/AFT on Jan. 4. The CNAs will become part of Down East FNHP/AFT, Local 5073. Members of the Down East local and other FNHP/AFT affiliates in Maine helped the new members in their organizing drive.
- The 150 nurses at the Rhode Island Visiting Nurse Association, members of the Federation of Visiting Nurses, Local 5090, approved a new three-year contract that contains salary increases of at least 5 percent per year and changes in care methods that will improve patient care. The agreement, retroactive to July 1, 2000, will lift entry-level salaries by an average of 20 percent in the first year. Nurses with more seniority get raises of at least 15 percent over the course of the contract. There are also pay rates that reward nurses for extended service to the agency. "We were able to accomplish most of our goals for negotiations, " said Alma Egan, local president.
