REGION 4 MOVES TO SPACIOUS NEW DIGS IN LYNNFIELD
On June 1, Region 4 moved into new first floor office/meeting space which is nearly three times larger than the space we had in Peabody for the last five years. Our new suite includes an enormous open area and will accommodate a much larger number of our members for meetings and classes. There is also another room for smaller meetings, and a kitchenette, a huge convenience. The office and the entire building are also completely handicapped accessible.It’s right off Route 128/95, between Exits 42 and 43. For directions, call us or visit our Directions page.
NEW OFFICE
Region 4 MNA
50 Salem Street, Building A
Lynnfield, MA 01940
781.584.8012
Fax: 339.440.5830
Region4@mnarn.org
We take very seriously our duty to utilize your dues with utmost care, so we deliberated carefully before making the decision to incur higher rent. For five years, we spent considerably less on rent than any other Region of MNA; now we’re in the middle.
It is an investment for all of you, our members. We can hold more classes for more of you, provide free meeting space for our local bargaining units and other groups and so much more. So take advantage of it at every chance you get. Stop by to check us out And email or call in your ideas for creative uses of your new space.
SIGN UP NOW!!
GET $250 to attend MNA Convention October 13-15 in Worcester!
Regional Council 4 has again budgeted funds to support 100 members who attend Convention and participate in the decision-making process during the Annual Meeting. Again this year, big issues determining our future as an Association and Union will be brought forward for votes. YOUR voice is critical. There are also abundant continuing education, networking and FUN opportunities. If you’ve never gone before, you owe it to yourself. If you have gone in the past, you know the importance of member participation. You must register in advance for this Region 4 benefit so contact our office ASAP to be one of the 100. And let’s have many more than 100 Region 4 members there. How about shooting for 10 percent of our 4,000 Region 4 members—now that’s real progress!
POPULAR EDUCATION PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE THIS FALL
Working with MNA staff, the Region 4 Education Committee has planned three new CE programs for October and November. You should have already received a color brochure listing our programs as well as those in other Regions and MNA/Canton. All members may attend all MNA CE programs free of charge. Check the Calendar for more details. Contact us if you need more info.
NEWS FROM OUR BARGAINING UNITS
Anna Jaques Hospital:
About to begin contract negotiations.
Bedford School Nurses:
No report.
Commonwealth of Mass/ Tewskbury Hospital and Hogan Regional Center:
Restarting negotiations. Without a contract for over a year. The state is demanding take-aways.
Gloucester School Nurses:
Started negotiations this summer.
Lawrence General Hospital:
Making progress in contract negotiations.
Lawrence Public Health:
Unchanged; only 1 RN in department.
Merrimack Valley Hospital:
Contract negotiations have begun.
Methuen School Nurses:
A new position was posted recently but there is now a freeze on the position. One school will be left short a nurse.
Northeast-Beverly and Addisson Gilbert Hospitals:
Contract settled. The hospital has warned of layoffs but no details on impact on nurses yet. A Workplace Violence task force is being formed due to recent upsurge in assaults on nurses, particularly in the ICU and ED.
North Shore Medical Center:
Negotiations drag on. The crux is language on posting of nurse positions which is standard in other MNA contracts but difficult here.
Wilmington School Nurses:
Contract settled.
REGION 4 NURSES GET POLITICAL AT LOCAL, STATE AND FECERAL LEVELS—AND IT’S PAYING OFF
After hearing his nurse constituents’ problems with workplace violence, Senator Steve Baddour vowed his support for the MNA Assault bill making assault of a nurse or health care provider an offense with a minimum sentence. Thebill was signed into law by governor Deval Patrick on July 2.
Our best political coach, Region 4 community Organizer, Lainey Titus came to us in November from Rep. Steve Walsh’s office in the state house where she served as chief-of-staff.
She’s great and she wants you to get involved so nurses can set the agenda for health care.
$$$$$$$$-WHERE DO MY REGION 4 DUES GO?-$$$$$$$$
Here’s a summary report on Region 4 finances as of June 30, 2010, the close of our fiscal year. INCOME: We get $30/member/year in Regional dues. Our dues are collected by MNA/Canton. Our rent, utilities, and salary/benefits of our Office Manager are deducted, and the remainder is transferred into our Region 4 operating account.
EXPENDITURES: After rent and salary, three of our largest annual expenditures fund direct benefits to Region 4 members:
- $250/member reimbursement used to encourage Region 4 members to participate in the MNA Annual Convention, over $15,000 last year; over 55 members used this benefit this past fiscal year.
- $100/member/year continuing education reimbursement used for members who participate in CE programs not provided by MNA; nearly $12,000 during the past fiscal year to nearly 130 of our colleagues.
- Five scholarships of $1,500 each awarded annually to Region 4 members.
If you’ve never taken advantage of these outstanding benefits, now is the time. More info is available from our office or from our Benefits page.
Education: Our Annual Meeting plus activities of the Region 4 Education Committee planning for the CE programs offered in our Region.
Strengthening our Bargaining Units: MNA Labor School in our Region. The monthly meetings of Regional Council 4 allow the Chairs of all our bargaining units to share information, insight, and strategies, thereby making us all more effective at the bargaining table and upholding the contract and our rights in everyday practice. Mutual support among the bargaining units is more critical than ever given the consolidation of the hospital industry everywhere.
Community Outreach: Recognizing our interdependence on our communities and those who support us in our efforts to protect nursing and patient care, we donated a total of $3,000 to five community organizations, including My Brother’s Table in Lynn, Cape Ann Food Pantry, Bread & Roses in Lawrence, Merrimack Food Bank in Lowell, and Santa’s Fund of the Lawrence Eagle Tribune.
MEET, EAT, GROW
Region 4 Second Annual Meeting
Wednesday, September 15 5-9 p.m.
Tewksbury Country Club
Last year’s First Annual Meeting was a big success so we’re returning to the same location for another evening together. Dine, discuss Region 4 issues, get updates from our bargaining units, and then hear from a great speaker on Holistic Nursing in your practice (with CEUs). Don’t miss it this year.
Watch your mail for a flyer with registration.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Click here to view the Region 4 Calendar
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