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STOP THE NLRB: Send a letter today!
Federal Ruling to Eliminate RN Rights Imminent
Overtime and Ability to Advocate for Patients at Risk
Rulings are thought to be imminent on several pending National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) cases, jointly referred to as the "Kentucky River" cases. At the request of the health care industry, the Labor Board is expected to rule that direct-care RNs are “supervisors” under the law. As a result, these RNs would have no right to join unions, and receive the protections afforded by CNA/NNOC representation, such as overtime pay and the ability to advocate on behalf of patients. Contact the NLRB TODAY!
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: RNs Are NOT "Supervisors" - We're Patient Advocates!
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am an RN and I urge the NLRB to acknowledge that direct care nurses are not supervisors. Our job is to heal patients, not to manage hospital staff.
Because nurses classified as supervisors do not have federal labor law protections, a broad definition could strip hundreds of thousands of nurses of our democratic right to union representation.
Without such rights, the ability of RNs to safely advocate for our patients, without the threat of retaliation, will be fundamentally compromised.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
July 28, 2006
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RN ALERT: Stay Informed and Engaged
Nurses Across Nation Demand Protection of Right to Organize and Advocate for Patients Without threat of Retaliation.
Pending Labor Board Decisions Could Imperil RN Protections, Standards, Patient Advocacy Role
The National Labor Relations Board will soon issue a major ruling that could jeopardize the ability of RNs to receive the protections afforded by CNA/NNOC representation. At the request of healthcare employers and anti-union consultants, the Board is expected to make the absurd ruling that many thousands of RNs are "supervisors" under the law because they make clinical patient care assignments to other staff. Under federal labor law, supervisors have no protection. THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO UNION REPRESENTATION.
What's At Stake for Union RNs?
Literally thousands of RNs could be stripped of their right to CNA/NNOC representation. Without CNA/NNOC representation:
- RNs would be employees "at will" and subject to termination or other unfair discipline without contract protections.
- All pay, health coverage, retirement, and other standards now negotiated by CNA/NNOC would be subject to the whim of your employer.
- Management could ignore RN-to-patient ratios and other patient protections with no voice for RNs to challenge unsafe conditions.
- The collective power of RNs through CNA/NNOC could be dramatically undermined, and the rights of RNs to organize into CNA/NNOC drastically curtailed.
What's At Stake for Non-Union RNs?
Nurses not represented by unions will face huge hurdles in any effort to work collectively to increase their pay, maintain their benefits, win pensions, be protected against unfair discipline, reduce unsafe conditions at the bed side, and speak out on behalf of patients. Additionally if you are designated a salaried management employee your overtime pay will be at risk.
What's At Stake for Patients?
- Nurses would face intimidation for advocating for their patients — a clear threat to patient safety.
- RNs must be able to intervene on behalf of patients when a hospital, nursing home, or HMO tries to cut costs by limiting care, and be able to act collectively to challenge unsafe staffing or other unsafe practices.
Why Is This Occurring Now?
Challenges to RN union rights have been pushed for years. Now, however, the Bush administration has finally succeeded in filling the NLRB with anti-union management attorneys who have already rolled back employee rights in a number of other cases. A decision is expected before the end of August.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
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