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On June 22, Polysomnographic Technologists scored a big win in the Oregon Legislature. After more than a year of behind-the-scenes work, Senate Bill 723 passed with a very strong majority.
Polysomnographic Technologist is now a profession that must be licensed by the state. The Respiratory Therapist Licensing Board will be expanded to include polysomnographic technologists, and anyone practicing the profession must be licensed by the state board.
Until now, there have been no state-level licensing programs for the job. Although Kaiser Permanente and other reputable companies maintain high standards for their own employees, the lack of licensing requirements mean that not all companies need to maintain the same strict standards.
OFNHP member and Registered Polysomnographic Technologist Christie Grove has worked closely with Oregon legislators and AFT-Oregon’s Director of Political and Legislative Affairs, Rob Wagner, to advance and advocate for this bill. “Rob really went above and beyond the call of duty to help us move this bill foward. Rob deserves all the credit for this one!” said Christie. “It’s a matter of protecting patients, and protecting ourselves and our employers. This is an incredible step for us all.”
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Dates to RememBeR
oFNHP executive Board meeting5:30-8:30pmat OFNHPThursday, August 4
Labor Day Picnic 10am-5pm at Oaks ParkMonday, September 5 oFNHP executive Board meeting5:30-8:30pmat OFNHPTuesday, September 13
oFNHP membership meeting6:30-8:30pmMonarch Hotel ClackamasThursday, September 15
Legislature Makes Sleep Technologist a Licensed Profession in Oregon
Did My Dues Go Up? On July 1, AFT member dues had their annual increase. Per the national constitution, this increase occurs every July 1.
Dues are still 1.4% of pay, but the maximum rate has increased by 4%. Also, an additional dollar per month flat fee has been added to the rate (for a total of $3 flat rate per month). The flat fee goes toward state and national solidarity and defense funds and a “Locals in Crisis” fund. Dues are now 1.4% of pay + $3.00, up to a maximum of $74.04 per month.
Case Manager RNS Honored at AFT-WA Convention In October 2010, case manager RNs filed a class action grievance, citing a hostile work environment. After suffering many months of workplace bullying, our members had had enough. They took action by filing the grievance, and also by organizing a campaign that included a petition, “No Bullying” buttons, and fact sheets on the topic. In May, AFT- Washington recognized their hard work with a Human Rights Award at the affiliate’s annual convention. Congratulations to members Evie Bello, Juliana Butler, Traci D’Andrea, Melissa Pond, Bev Saum and Kathryn Thompson —and thank you for your hard work!
(l-r) Sylvia Watson from AFT-Washington presents the Human Rights award to OFNHP members Evie Bello and Kathryn Thompson, with OFNHP Internal Organizer Jocelyn Pitman.
Union Action Updates
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Geriatric Long-Term Care ACs Organizing to Remedy Unsafe Working Conditions
Affiliated Clinicians (ACs)s in the Geriatric Long-Term Care department have found that their work has expanded exponentially as more and more patients need care in skilled nursing facilities and adult foster care. Whereas call shifts between regular work shifts were once manageable, the ACs are now finding that call shifts are equivalent to regular shifts. Some of the ACs have reported 17 or more calls in one 12-hour period—making it impossible for them to get the rest they need to provide quality care the following day. It is our position that everyone needs 12 hours of rest between shifts, and the group has filed a grievance demanding relief from this situation. The work group has also organized over the issue, and members are filing compliance complaints, citing safety concerns. The grievance that is being filed requests relief from unsafe working conditions, with a demand for immediate attention before irreparable harm is done to staff or patients. Mediation Proving to be a Very Effective Method of Resolving Disputes
Recently, two more mediations were settled on behalf of OFNHP members. Unlike more adversarial forms of dispute resolution, mediation works to bring both sides to consensus on an appropriate solution. In both cases members from the TECH bargaining unit were terminated without just cause. In one case, the member recovered lost wages and returned to work. In the other, the member recovered lost wages and both parties agreed to part ways. In both cases, the settlements were fair and acceptable to our members. Backfill is a Common Issue Across Bargaining Units, Work Locations
Representatives from Eastside, Westside, and Clark County Affiliated Clinicians (ACs) in Primary Care are meeting with management in an Interest-Based Problem Solving process to discuss backfill issues. The South Interstate ACs are dedicated to urgency care and do not have sufficient backfill. To meet this need, Kaiser has asked the group to explore the possibility of ACs from other areas filling in when necessary.
At Skyline, Primary Care and the Nurse Treatment Room are working on their own coverage issues. The Skyline office sees nearly triple the walk-ins of the other Salem-area office (North Lancaster), and there are many times when RNs are spread so thin that LPNs are the only staff available in the Nurse Treatment Room. Our RNs, as well as the LPNs represented by SEIU, are very concerned about the stress and safety issues this creates. Solutions in KP.org Message Management Might Also Be Creating Problems
For many of our Affiliated Clinicians (ACs), keeping up with the high volume of KP.org messages from patients has grown increasingly cumbersome. A message management solution is in process, which places Medical Assistants and LPNs at the front line, filtering messages to the appropriate providers as necessary. This solution has worked well in Primary Care, and seems like it will help relieve the work loads for our Certified Nurse Midwives and OB/GYN Nurse Practitioners as well. However, it’s recently come to our attention that some of our Affiliated Clinicians (ACs) are paid according to the number of KP.org messages they respond to—meaning that this workload solution could result a significant decrease in pay. We need to hear from YOU on this—are you in a unit that is implementing this kind of message management? What has the effect been on your workload and/or your compensation? Please call Internal Organizer Jocelyn Pitman at 503.657.9974 x108 or email [email protected] to let us know.
Meet Your New Executive Officers!
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On Thursday, May 26, OFNHP members elected a new slate of officers and delegates. The Executive Board has staggered elections, with half being elected in even years and half in odd years. Bargaining Unit Presidents and VPs are elected in odd years. Those elected this May will serve from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013. The Election Committee worked diligently over the last few months to make the nominating, voting and tallying processes as smooth as possible—and they did a great job! Their work with outside vote tabulation firm TrueBallot ensured a clean, transparent, and speedy result. Many thanks to Election Committee Chair Jane Walker and members Dan Georgeson, Eileen McCloskey, Charlene Walloch, Julie West and Bing Wong!
Executive Vice President Executive Secretary Elex Tenney Samantha J. Owens VP of External Organizing VP of Retirees Christóbal Mozingo David Charlton President, LabPro Bargaining Unit VP, LabPro Bargaining Unit Diana Gaffield Michelle Flores President, PRO Bargaining Unit VP, PRO Bargaining Unit Kristen Perry Sherwin Moscow President, RDH Bargaining Unit VP, RDH Bargaining Unit Sharon Peabody-Brown Jackie Farlinger-King President, RN Bargaining Unit VP, RN Bargaining Unit Dawnette McCloud Nancy Mulsoff President, Tech Bargaining Unit VP, Tech Bargaining Unit Laura Wambold Amanda Hill NW OR Labor Council Delegates WA State Labor Council Delegates Laura Wambold Nancy Amstad-Hite Amanda Hill Nancy Mulsoff OR AFLCIO Delegates: Shawn Brock, Amanda Hill, Dawnette McCloud, Margaret McGowan-Tuttle, Christóbal Mozingo, Marilyn Terhaar, Laura Wambold Officers who will continue in service with the newly elected leaders, offices up for election in 2012: Executive President Executive Treasurer Linda Rohman Meg McGowan-Tuttle VP of Health & Safety VP of Legislative & COPE Jeffrey Harris Melissa Pond VP of Publications VP of Leadership Development Nancy Amstad-Hite Kathy Schmidt
www.Facebook.com/ofnhp
SAVE THE DATE!Join us at Oaks Park
on Monday, September 5 for the Annual Labor Day Picnic!
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Why Pay more? aFt+ member Benefits
As an OFNHP Local 5017 member, your unique union benefits could mean a savings of hundreds to thousands of dollars per year. Being an OFNHP member automatically makes you a member of our National Union, AFT, allowing you to participate in the AFT+ Benefits Program. AFT+ Member Benefits offers assistance to members in need during unstable financial times through financial grants, credit & budget counseling, incentives for college savings, medical bill assistance, mortgage assistance and more. Below are two new benefits negotiated especially for you. You can see many more benefits by visiting the Member Benefits page at www.aft-oregon.org (includes benefits exclusive to members in Oregon as well as your national benefits) or www.aft.org.
*NeW* ID experts ~ significant member Discounts
ID Experts has the most experienced, fully-managed theft recovery services in America. They restore ID theft victims’ identity 100%. The time spent to recover your identity averages 200 hours. With your union discount, for less than $5 a month, your personal advocate will contact and file disputes with creditors, bill collectors, banks, mortgage companies and agencies such as the DMV, Social Security Administration and the U.S. Postal Service. There are three levels of service available, all at significantly reduced pricing. Visit the Member Benefits page at www.aft-oregon.org for more information and to enroll.
*NeW* Lifeflight Network Discounts
AFT-Oregon has partnered with LifeFlight Network to give members the deepest discount offered for LifeFlight Services. LifeFlight is a not-for-profit medical transport service dedicated to improving patient outcomes by providing helicopter, fixed-wing and ground ambulance support to seriously ill or injured patients. Your LifeFlight Membership ensures you will not pay deductibles or out-of pocket expenses beyond your membership fee. Your union discounted rate lowers the original cost of $60 a year to only $45! Print your application from the Member Benefits page at www.aft-oregon.org or contact our Member Benefits Specialist, Susan Miller at 503.595.3880 or [email protected]. susan miller aFt+ member Benefits specialist 503.595.3880 [email protected]
Making the Most of Your AFT Benefits
American Federation of Teachers AFL-CIOOregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, AFT Local 50172045 SE Ankeny Street Portland OR 97214-1663
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE
PAIDPORTLAND ORPERMIT NO 816
Heartbeat
Mail: 2045 SE Ankeny Street Portland, Oregon 97214-1663
Phone: 503-657-9974 Toll-free: 800-OFN-5017
email: [email protected]
Web Site: www.ofnhp.org
A Union of Professionals
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Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals
“All that serves labor serves the nation. All that harms is treason. If a man
tells you he trusts America, yet fears labor, he is a fool. There is no America without labor,
and to fleece the one is to rob the other."
~Abraham Lincoln
Save the Date!Monday, September 5
Labor Day Picnic at Oaks Amusement Park
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