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November 15, 2000
Dear South Shore Nurses;
Many of you are asking what is happening and when
are we going to have the election. Unfortunately, that decision
rests with the National Labor Relations board and neither the Hospital
nor the MNA has any control over when that decision will be issued.
Many of you are frustrated with the mailings from
the Hospital. These mailings continue to not only try to tarnish
the reputation of the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) but
also is giving you information that is not factual. We can not control
management's behavior, however, we can and do request with all due
respect that they get their facts straight, that they leave you
alone at work and allow you to make this important decision in the
same competent manner you make all workplace decisions.
MNA is not the divisive force here or in any institution
where the professional nurses have chosen MNA representation. On
the contrary, thousands of contracts have been negotiated over the
years without conflict. Nurses represented by MNA enjoy the best
benefits and salaries in Boston and in some instances in the country.
A recent Nurse Future letter suggested that MNA is not a professional
organization but just a union. To clarify the record, we are a professional
organization and we are also proud to be a union representing health
care professionals. We are proud that nurses represented by MNA
have a voice in their workplace in every decision that affects them
and the work they do. We are proud that MNA continues to lead the
way on major health care legislation in this state, and also nationally.
MNA together with the California Nurses Association recently filed
national legislation to prevent mandatory overtime for nurses.
We usually refrain from sending out a lot of written
material as we know most nurses are extremely busy and in the course
of an anti-union campaign receive reams of material from management.
However, we have had requests for clarification on certain issues
and feel the need to respond. If at any time you have further questions
regarding MNA or any of its contracts please contact one of your
organizers or call the MNA directly.
? When management refers to the union as a "third
party" as outsiders coming between management and the employees,
they want you to believe that voting yes for union representation
means giving an outside party the power to make decisions for you.
When you vote for union representation you vote to take control
of your future. You are no longer powerless, you are part of the
decision making process. There is no "third party". You become the
MNA at South Shore Hospital when you vote yes, you elect your own
bargaining unit leadership. You conduct negotiations with MNA's
help and guidance and you, the nurses at South Shore Hospital, have
a voice in every decision that affects you, your patients, and your
working conditions and benefits.
? Management states that MNA has broken promises
to the nurses at Northeast Health Systems. The nurses at Northeast
Health System are extremely proud of their contract and in fact
recently renegotiated their pay scale so that many of the nurses
will be receiving up to a five (5) dollar an hour increase. The
nurses who attended any of our meetings are aware that we made only
one promise. That promise is that you will have a voice and a seat
at the table where the decisions are made. When you vote "yes' for
MNA representation, you are guaranteed every assistance and guidance
from MNA to help you negotiate a fair and equitable contract with
your management.
? Management suddenly is concerned over how you
spend your money, they talk about MNA dues and also the dues increase
that was introduced at MNA convention last week. Were they concerned
over your finances when they asked you to pledge 30 minutes of your
time for the new building. The truth about dues is simply this.
When you win your election you will not be asked to pay any dues
until you have successfully negotiated a contract and it is ratified
(voted on) by the nurses at South Shore Hospital. Secondly, the
dues increase that was proposed at MNA convention was rejected by
the membership. The MNA is a democratic organization, it is one
member one vote. The members are notified prior to a dues increase
and the members that attend convention vote on any new business
including dues increases.
You need to ask one important question? That question
is not why should we vote for a union but Why not? What do you have
to lose by voting for professional representation? When you win
your election your benefits, salary and working conditions are frozen
in place until your elected representatives meet with management
and under the legal and professional guidance of MNA negotiate a
contract. This contract is then brought to all the nurses at SSH
for a vote. You can either accept or reject it. Remember if you
elect to have MNA representation, management can no longer make
unilateral decisions that affect you and the work you do. Standing
together you can join the thousands of other unionized nurses in
the state who have a truly effective voice in their workplace.
We have listed the names of several members of the
organizing committee who may be contacted at home to answer any
further questions or concerns you may have or you can contact MNA
directly at 800.882.2056 x777-Eileen, x774-Steve.
The decision is yours, make an informed choice.
In unity,
Organizing Department, MNA
Eileen Norton, RN
Stephen Davis
South Shore Nurses Organizing Committee
Diane Brady
Sue Ames
Kathy Massey
Kathy Spurr
Sheila King
Rosemary Regan
Eileen Mann
Debbie Erwin
Marianne Bennett
Bill Pearson |
