99% Membership Approval for Rowan Contract….And Other HPAE News
December 8, 2016
HPAE Members Approve Rowan University Contract
On Thursday, December 1, the members of HPAE Local 5094 and 5089 voted by an overwhelming majority of 99% to ratify their new contract with Rowan University. The locals won a combination of across-the-board wage increases and step movements; secured Rowan Tuition Waiver for employees; improved the arbitration procedure; and merged the professionals and registered nurses contracts.
New Jobs for Chris and Jeanne
Chris Whalen began his new job on Monday as HPAE’s Executive Director. For the past five years, Chris has been HPAE’s Director of Public Sector Representation and has been with HPAE for greater than 10 years. Chris has been an essential part of HPAE’s growth and enhanced communications programs.
Chris is replacing Jeanne Otersen, who was HPAE’s Chief of Staff for the past two years. Jeanne played a central role in helping HPAE become the largest and most well-respected healthcare union in New Jersey. Jeanne began her new job as an Associate Director of AFT’s Healthcare division in Washington, D.C. this week.
Cooper Nurses Leaflet to Show Support for Safe Staffing
Over 70 Local 5118 members at Cooper University Hospital came out early this morning to leaflet in front of the hospital. While the nursing administration has hired many nurses this year, staffing still remains inadequate. The nurses leafleted to show administration that they are determined to fight for improved staffing: “We stand together to show our solidarity as we advocate for patient safety staffing at Cooper University Hospital.”
Virtua Agrees to Settlement with OSHA Over Safety Violations
Virtua Memorial Hospital reached a settlement yesterday with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding citations and penalties which were issued on November 14th for various violations of the agency’s regulations and policies on safe patient handling. Hospital management agreed to implement several remedial actions, including instituting a “comprehensive safe patient handling and mobility program within 12 months.” They have also agreed to pay a fine of $12,471.
Rutgers University among the Bidders to Manage Bergen Regional
Rutgers University Medical School and a consortium of five North Jersey hospitals are among the entities that submitted proposals last Friday to manage Bergen Regional Medical Center, the state’s largest hospital. Rutgers submitted a proposal jointly with Care Plus Bergen, a large provider of outpatient mental-health care in Bergen County to provide care at the 1,070-bed facility, which provides long-term care, acute care and mental health and addiction services.
This Week in U.S. Labor History: Samuel Gompers & the Founding of the AFL
Twenty-five unions found the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in Columbus, Ohio; Cigarmaker’s union leader Samuel Gompers is elected president. The AFL’s founding document’s preamble reads: “A struggle is going on in all of the civilized world between oppressors and oppressed of all countries, between capitalist and laborer…” – December 8, 1886
Read about other important struggles and events in U.S. labor history which occurred from December 5 to December 11, provided by Union Communication Services (UCS).
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