NEW YORK NURSE: June 2008
by Mark Genovese
There’s nothing like pressure to bring out the best in people. It certainly did for NYSNA members and staff on Long Island.
NYSNA received word in April that 1199SEIU operatives were stalking three North Shore/Long Island Jewish Health System facilities – Franklin, Plainview, and Syosset hospitals.
Contracts at all three had expired. Under federal labor law, they were in an “open window” that allows competing unions to target a facility for decertification.
NYSNA already saw the aggressive nature of 1199SEIU at Peninsula Hospital (see article on page 8). “We learned about the depths of deceit to which they will go to steal members,” said NYSNA CEO Tina Gerardi. “It was clear the contracts had to be negotiated immediately and the window closed.”
Negotiating one contract is enough of a challenge, but the task here was to negotiate three in just a few days. NYSNA staff and members gathered quickly to plan. What was accomplished was a first in NYSNA’s history.
Negotiations at all three facilities were led by NYSNA Economic and General Welfare Program Director Lorraine Seidel, with the help of her senior leadership team and staff. Delegate Assembly President Barbara Crane was also at members’ side to lend support and strength.
They insisted to North Shore management that these contracts be settled. In this case, the employer was willing to continue talks – unlike Peninsula, where some claim that management worked with 1199SEIU to block progress.
NYSNA staff at every level, in every program and department, worked around the clock on the ground and behind the scenes to support this marathon effort. Negotiating committees at all three local bargaining units were contacted. Phone trees were set up. Work assignments and personal schedules were rearranged.
NYSNA staff was assigned to communicate with the members on the units, answer questions, quell rumors, and prevent 1199SEIU from intruding.
“It had been a regular negotiation session for us when we heard something outside,” said Jayne Galgano, Syosset negotiating committee member. “Then Lorraine Seidel came in and explained the situation to us. We were anxious at first, because we wanted to make sure we would still be doing the negotiating. As it turned out, we were.”
Committee members from all three LBUs “camped out” at the negotiation site. “They told us to go home,” said Marie Sweeney, Franklin LBU chair, “but we didn’t want to leave.”
As in any negotiation, there can be as many opinions as there are members. Decisions had to be made quickly about which issues would be addressed.
Members felt the tension. “One night, it was 11 hours before management came to the table,” Sweeney said. “We felt as if we were in a fish bowl. Should we take this offer and present it to members? The mood would shift from happy to sad and back again. What kept me going is that I wanted something better for our nurses.”
Momentum was on NYSNA’s side once a tentative agreement was reached at Franklin early on May 15.
Contract votes were conducted in the democratic manner members deserve. No part of the process was skipped. Members were informed about the proposals at meetings and questions were answered. All were given an opportunity to vote.
The Franklin pact was approved May 16, while negotiations continued for Syosset and Plainview. Tentative agreements were reached for both on May 18, and voting scheduled for the next day.
Meanwhile, 1199SEIU assigned additional operatives to campaign against the tentative agreements.
“We received a call Thursday morning from a member at Franklin,” said Nancy Joly-Murphy, NYSNA nursing representative for the three facilities. “1199SEIU members were walking through the units, trying to dupe members into signing cards under the guise of ‘sign here for more information about 1199SEIU.’ We contacted administration, who sent them back to work.”
During the shift change, NYSNA watched for hospital employees working on behalf of 1199SEIU in the parking lot. NYSNA Nursing Representative Tom Spina positioned NYSNA staff at all exits to alert members. “They worked tirelessly to thwart 1199SEIU until the vote took place,” Joly-Murphy said.
Meetings to discuss the Plainview agreement began at 7 a.m. on May 17. By 9 a.m., a Plainview member called Joly-Murphy to report 1199SEIU delegates descending on the hospital to block the vote. Joly-Murphy tracked one off-duty nurse from floor to floor. “It was unreal, a game of cat-and-mouse. Security was increased to enforce a hospital policy forbidding employees from being on units if not on duty.”
The Plainview and Syosset contracts were ratified later that day.
“These contracts were completed in less than a week, but that doesn’t mean corners were cut,” Seidel said. “They were three different contracts, with each LBU having its own concerns.”
The agreements continue to set the standard, with Plainview and Syosset now having among the highest RN salaries on Long Island. For the first time, Franklin nurses were able to negotiate a pension. Staffing concerns were addressed and monetary benefits were improved for retirees in all three contracts. By overwhelmingly approving the contracts, members recognized NYSNA’s dedication to meeting their professional needs.
“It was nothing short of a miracle,” Seidel said. “Against all odds, we made it happen with tireless hours of teamwork and unwavering attention to detail. This helped keep our members hopeful and focused through this necessary and unprecedented strategy.”
“This was exemplary member representation in action,” she added, “and it’s raised the bar for all of us.”