NOVAdvocates
P O Box 141
Newton, NJ 07860
Email
DISCLAIMER: This website is strictly the opinion of the members of NOVAdvocates and we have not received any assistance from the hospital or outside sources.
DISCLAIMER: This website is strictly the opinion of the members of NOVAdvocates and we have not received any assistance from the hospital or outside sources.
Why We Don't Like Unions
I had the opportunity in my career to work in a large teaching hospital. I had only 1 year of experience in nursing when I started by 10 year journey there. During the hiring process I found out that the hospital nurses were supported by a union and after my 3 month orientation I could expect to see deductions for the union in my pay.
I never once was approached, called or even received mail from this union that now was representing me. I did not receive any literature about the union and its influence at the hospital for the nurses. It was not the employers job to describe the benefits for having union representation but it was the nurses that were considered the union rep to do, but I did not know who they were and they surely didn't take the time to tell me what the union did for me, it was a poor introduction to union representation.
I worked there for about 10 years and never once had a union rep tell me anything about the union. Only during times when we had the chance to vote on new contracts (every 3 years) did you see reps telling you to vote the contract down that was on the table because they wanted more from the hospital. I could tell you that after living through 3 contracts in 10 years, the benefits were always locked in for the nurses who were under the old contract, but the new hires would be getting less benefits, this did not say alot for the union in their attempts to make the hospital a place where new hires would like to work, all it did was cause conflict between those nurses who had more benefits than others, it surely didn't promote any type of team atmosphere and it did not make us a place attractive to new hires.
One personal encounter that really made me rethink unionization was when my then 2 year old daughter came down with pneumonia right before New Years Day. She needed to be hospitalized and I was staying with her 24/7 like any mom would do. Well unfortunately for me I had to call out on Dec 31st so I could be with her. Obviously my manager knew why I had to call out but since I called out to be with my child and not because I personally was sick I could not use my many hours of sick time. The union rule was that if there was any call outs before or after a holiday that did not have a physician note stating the employee was sick the employee would not be paid for the sick out day and also the holiday. Well thank you union. I lost 2 full days pay because of the union rules. Remember, fair is fair and if it is written the hospital as well as the union will uphold the bylaws. One must remember the union also wants to please the hospital, its a partnership, so abiding by the bylaws written pleases the partnership, in this situation it only added stress to my already stressful situation.
– LJW, RN
My first hospital that I worked at was union. Neither the hospital nor the union came to me to discuss a pending strike which started 3 weeks later. I went one time to the picket line in an attempt to understand the issues instead I was appalled at the nurses on the line calling the RN's going in 'scabs'!
As a new RN without any way to pay my bills, (but I remember still having to pay my dues!) I did agency nursing until called back to the hospital. I was called back to the Renal transplant floor which was not where I had been hired for or oriented too. Imagine my state of panic the first night when a young patient informed me he was rejecting his newly transplanted kidney! I handed my 2 week resignation in the next day.
Years later I went to work for a union hospital again as I was geographically limited in my choices. Little did I know at the time but administration and the union had a neutrality agreement. This is when both sides agree to negotiate quickly and without opposition therefore spending less money. This leaves the bargaining unit without any voice whatsoever.
During this time I had an issue with an EMT who was providing unsafe patient care by falling asleep at the wheel during transports. He would even brag in front of the patients how he would drive straighter and faster when he fell asleep! I reported him and the hospital did the appropriate thing and removed him behind the wheel.
Now a contract is up for vote. We were in what was called a wall to wall contract which means the RN's, clerical, dietary housekeepers etc...all employees were part of the bargaining unit. So when the proposed contract was placed on the table it was not fair to all the varied employees so I was quite vocal encouraging people to 'vote no'.
Three months down the road the EMT returns to driving supposedly medically cleared to return to work....first trip with him he falls asleep at the wheel. I reported him again and this time he was not removed....what changed beside me being vocal? He had become a union representative for his department during those three months!
My union representative claimed there was nothing she could do.
– JAC, RN
Recent Events
Despite many requests from NOVAdvocates and other non-union RN's, the union, HPAE, (recently decertified at our hospital), will not remove us as one of their locals from their website. This reinforces why we do not believe in unions with their willingness to mislead with incorrect information.
Final Paperwork Just In!
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(click for PDF version)
As of today we are waiting for the official letter from the NLRB that the union has had no objections to the final vote. We will then be able to move forward.
On October 28, Newton Memorial Hospital nurses voted out the HPAE union as their bargaining representatives 157 to 104! This definitely indicates more of an informed vote than the mere 10-vote difference last year. We want to acknowledge our colleagues who worked hard at the negotiating table and will pay heed to the issues that were presented. We also look forward to working together with all RN's and administration to grow stronger with our collective voices!
VOTE!
October 27th & 28th at Newton Memorial Hospital
Pavilion Conference
Rooms 1 & 2
5:30am to 8:00am,
12:00noon to 2:00pm
and
6:00pm to 8:30pm the first day
5:30am to 8:00am the second day
Visit our newly renovated pages!
Today Novadvocates have successfully filed a petition to re-vote to potentially decertify HPAE as our bargaining representatives! Both the hospital and the union have been notified. We encourage every RN to get informed rather than be coerced or blindsided as in the last vote.
HPAE members from Newton Memorial Hospital claim (per their web page), "Our Negotiating Committee has never, in any way, indicated to management that we have any intent to strike." Perhaps they should look at the record of the union they chose to sign with...
HPAE STRIKE HISTORY
1976 – 6 days at Englewood Hospital
1977 – 41 days at Pascack Valley
1979 – 70 days at Pascack Valley
1980 – 98 days at Englewood Hospital (one of the longest strikes in NJ history)
1993 – 96 days at Jersey Shore Medical Center
2006 – 5 weeks at Englewood Hospital
2009 – 3-day lockout based on HPAE strike notice at Bayonne Medical Center
2009 – lockout based on HPAE failure to withdraw the strike notice at Englewood Hospital
In a recent full-page ad in the NJ Herald, the union claims the "management just stalls..." worse, they brag about preparing for a strike, scaring patients and putting the community on edge. That ad is the first NOVAdvocates has heard about strike preparations so it appears to us HPAE is, in fact, guilty of their own accusations!
However, the union did give 30 days notice and called in a federal mediator, so yes, indeed, they can call a strike! Based on these events, we believe the hospital administration would be justified in strike preparation planning, in order to provide safe continuing care for our community.
We hope we can file for decertification prior to the union calling a strike but if not, NOVAdvocates and other non-union RN'S will be there continuing to provide excellent care to our community.
On one last note: did anyone notice on HPAE's web page that they actually used the real name for the cards they were having everyone sign under the pretense of a 'payroll deduction card' and we quote, "Congratulations to everyone who has signed a Union Membership Card." Remember, if you signed this card on false pretense (or not false pretenses), you can resign your membership at any time.
In a recent mailing to the RN's from HPAE, they claim a strike could not be called "without an overwhelming vote of the RN's at NMH." We wonder if that would be the same 'overwhelming' number that turned down the 2% raise and voted in an illegal constitution.
It has also come to our attention that they are using the age-old union tactic of having RN's sign membership cards claiming that they are needed for payroll deduction of dues. They are not needed and even if you have signed one, you can still sign a petition to re-vote!
Someone continues to attempt to mute our voices. In addition to the attempt to stop us from receiving our mail, we are now receiving threatening letters. This saddens us to see the hatred, as we just want a re-vote where all the RN's are informed rather than misled.
In an attempt to derail our campaign, the union has placed a 'Hold Mail" on our post office box. We are continually amazed at their less than stellar campaign tactics.
A police report has been filed and we are looking into federal charges.