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The Cranberry ScoopWhat’s the Scoop?Unit 7—Negotiations remain at a standstill with the closuresand the economy being targeted as the rationale. Currently,the State is in the process of conducting RIFs (reduction inforce) due to the closing of Quincy Mental Health Centerwhich is done and Westboro which is still in the process ofclosing. The scheduled retirements and voluntary layoffsshould be completed by the end of January. The bumpingprocess has been ongoing and will continue through the closing of Westboro.Due to the increase in workplace violence, we are looking forUnit 7 people to share their stories on capwiz on the MNAwebpage. We are also looking for members to participate inLobby Day at the State House on March 31, 2010.Respectfully submitted,Ellen Farley, Chair Designee***********Martha's Vineyard Hospital—The new hospital is nowslated to open in May 2010 due to unanticipated constructiondelays. We’re trying to work with management to assure anincreased level of security in the new facility, especially inareas that The Joint Commission & OHSA designate as"security sensitive".We are also looking for RNs who are interested in running forthe MNA Nurse Committee this spring. We have nineelected positions from all the nursing units; one for AcuteCare, one for ICU, one for OBS, one for ER, one for OR, onefor ERDS/Card Rehab/Coding, one Per Diem, and two AtLarge (from any unit). The Nurse Committee oversees contract negotiations and other issues that surround contractinterpretation. Please look for unit posting, coming soon, andcontact Rick Lambos if you are interested. We will be preparing for negotiations this summer for the contract that expiresin mid-September.Respectfully submitted,Rick Lambos, Chair***********Cape Cod Hospital is gearing up for negotiations thisupcoming summer. We have been very active in addressingunderstaffing/high patient acuity problems amongst some ofthe more critical units at the hospital. We are also extremelydetermined to make the union's presence more visible whileencouraging more staff to get involved, even if it is in a smallway. We feel strongly that the union is only as good as itsmembers’ involvement and that the greatest benefitsexperienced will come from a group-wide initiative, especiallyin these hard economic times. We are also working oncharitable avenues to focus on this spring.Respectfully submitted,Around TheRegionBrockton Hospital—We have come to a tentativeagreement and have scheduled a meeting for ratification onFebruary 11. This agreement comes with the committee’srecommendation.Respectfully submitted,Kathy Metzger, Chair***********VNA of Cape Cod— We have ratified our contract w/2%retro to top step and additional 2% step on next year anniversary date. All others continue in step w/ 4% raises annuallythrough two-year contract. Working conditions are an ongoing work in progress. Discussion with management has resulted in the agency posting more positions for case managersand floats in all three areas of the Cape. Labor managementmeetings now resume, as negotiations are settled. We arehoping to arrive at resolutions to some of the issues identified over the course of this past summer and fall . We havean outstanding grievance due to the agency not calling a stormday on the last storm day, the no name blizzard, that affectedmany areas. We are working hard to incorporate the newMedicare guidelines that come with the new year into ourdaily assessments and evaluations. I continue to encourageour members to bring any concerns to our attention, and askto have representation by your site representative, or myselffor any kind of disciplinary meeting with management. It isyour right and your benefit to have someone with you, notonly for support, but to be that second pair of ears that hearswhat is actually being said to you.Respectfully submitted,Deb Caruso, Chair***********Caritas Good Samaritan Hospital is bargaining now and ithas been productive. We started Jan. 6, 2010. The issuesimportant to the members are wages, pension and healthinsurance and retirement for eligible nurses. We also havebeen meeting about issues concerning the EmergencyDepartment relative to staffing and mandatory overtime. Wefeel we are making progress. We have extended the currentcontract through Feb. 28, 2010. We are working on proposals and have made an economic proposal for a two-year contract.Respectfully submitted,Karen Gavigan, Co-Chair

The Cranberry ScoopSome Things You Should Know.Scholarships are available through the Massachusetts Nurses FoundationApplication Deadline: June 1, 2010The Massachusetts Nurses Foundation is a non-profit organization, established in 1981, whose mission isto support scholarship & research in nursing and healthcare professions. The primary goal of the MNF isto advance the profession of nursing and healthcare by supporting the education of nurses. The MNFraises funds and dispenses scholarships & grants to qualified recipients who have applied for assistance tofurther their careers or study clinical issues that are essential to the improvement of health care. TheMNF awards numerous scholarships each year to MNA members. Some scholarships are even available to members’ children and spouses/partners.Please review eligibility requirements and criteria for each scholarship that you apply nf/2010Application.pdfRosemary Smith Scholarship for MNA Members seeking advanced degree innursing, labor studies or public health policy (1 @ 1500).Regional Council Three Scholarship for MNA Member pursuing MSN/PhD (3@ 1500)School Nurse Scholarships for MNA Members enrolled in an accreditedprogram related to school health issues (1 @ 1500).Regional Council Three Scholarship for MNA Member pursuing a BSN (3 @ 1500)Unit 7 RN pursuing higher education (1 @ 1000)Unit 7 HCP pursuing higher education (1 @ 1000)Regional Council Three Scholarship for MNA Member’s child pursuing BSN(4 @ 1000)Regional Council Five Scholarship for child of an MNA Member pursuinghigher education (other than nursing) (5 @ 2000)Regional Council Two Scholarship for MNA Member’s children pursuingnursing degree (5 @ 1000)Regional Council Five Scholarship for child of an MNA Member pursuing anursing degree (5 @ 2000)Regional Council Two Scholarship for MNA Member pursuing nursingdegree/higher education (3 @ 1000)Regional Council Five Scholarship to an MNA Member’s spouse/significantother pursuing a nursing degree (1 @ 1000)Carol Vigeant Scholarship for entry level nursing student in the Worcesterarea (1 @ 2000)Janet Dunphy Scholarship —MNA Region 5 Member pursuing BaccalaureateDegree (5 @ 2000)Kate Maker Scholarship for entry level nursing student in the Worcester area(1 @ 2500)Janet Dunphy Scholarship—MNA Region 5 Member pursuing MastersDegree (2 @ 2000)Regional Council One Scholarship for MNA Member’s children pursuingnursing degree (1 @ 1000)Janet Dunphy Scholarship—MNA Region 5 Member pursuing DoctoralDegree (2 @ 2000)Annual Faulkner Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Scholarship (2 @ 1000) An entry level scholarship for students pursuing an AD or BS degree.Preference will be given to applicants who are lineal descendants of FHSONalumnae; second preference given to all others.Regional Council Four Scholarship for MNA Member pursuing a nursingdegree/higher education (5 @ 1500)Reduced MNA Dues Rates are available to those who qualify and applySubject to verification, members who qualify for one of the following categories may elect to pay 75 percent of the annual dues:1) Health professional labor program member—any health care professional, other than a registered nurse, who is represented for purposes of collective bargaining by MNA;2) Limited hours labor program member—any labor program member who is represented for purposes of collective bargaining by MNAand who has 988 or fewer hours paid in the preceding calendar year.It is the responsibility of any registered nurse and/or other health care professional to verify to the satisfaction of MNA on anannual basis his/her eligibility for 75 percent dues category within any of the foregoing categories by April 1 of each year. Upon receipt ofsuch verification of eligibility in the prior calendar year, the member shall receive the reduced dues rate effective the following July 1 throughJune 30.Download the Application at uesApp.pdfApplication Deadline: April 1, 2010MNA Sponsors AEDs FOR LIFE CAMPAIGNTime and time again, we hear stories about the use of a defibrillator saving someone’s life; like the hotel guest that was saved bythe vacationing firefighter in Yarmouth last year - luckily, the hotel kept an AED on premises. Then there was the child at a localskating rink.a tragedy prevented because someone happened to have a portable AED in their car These and other similar stories prompted the MNA Regional Councils to help defray the cost for non-profit entities to have anAED on their premises. Non-profits, with 25 or more members, are eligible to receive reimbursement of half the cost of anAED (up to 800) through a simple application process. If you know of any entity that would be interested in thisvaluable benefit, please encourage them to contact the Regional office for more information. 508-888-5774

The Cranberry ScoopChair’s Message — continued from page 1Workplace Violence PreventionOSHA identifies the following key components of a Workplace Violence Preventionprogram:1) Management commitment and employee involvement2) Worksite hazard analysis3) Hazard prevention and control4) Safety and health training for workers, managers and supervisors including where andhow to report injuries5) Post incident debriefing activities including appropriate evaluation and treatment of all workers affected by anincident of violence6) Accurate recordkeeping and frequent evaluation of the program by employees and managementAdditionally, MNA believes the Workplace Violence Prevention Program should include:7) Policies that address harassment and bullying8) Methods for detection, confiscation and control of firearms and weapons from anyone (other than law enforcementofficers) who enters the facility9) Security guards trained according to national standardsThe MNA has developed a comprehensive package of legislationdesigned to address the crisis of violence in hospitals.Your legislator needs to hear from you! Prevent the Violence:An Act Requiring Health Care Employers to Develop and Implement Programs to PreventWorkplace Violence (SB988) filed by Rep. Costello and Sen.Timilty. Punish the Offenders:An Act Relative to Assault and Battery on Health Care Providers (HB1696/SB1753) filed byRep. Rodrigues and Sen. M. Moore. Manage Chronic Risks:An Act Relative to Creating a Difficult to Manage Unit within the Department of MentalHealth (HB1931) filed by Rep. Haddad.Violence in hospitals has reached epidemic proportions.What can you do about it?Come to the State House on Wednesday, March 31to talk to legislators about these important bills.The lobby day will start at 11:00 a.m. in Room B-2.I WILL attend the Lobby Day on March 31! I will need transportationName: Email Address:Address: City/State/Zip:Best phone number to reach you:Bargaining Unit: Hospital Unit (if applicable): Shift:Do you have a story to tell legislators about violence you've experienced or witnessed at work? If so, describeFor more information, contact Riley Ohlson at the Massachusetts Nurses Association at 781-830-5740 or just mail this to MNARegional Council 3, P O Box 1363, Sandwich MA 02563.

The Cranberry ScoopYRTHOSWN EWLabor School offers Tracks in 2 Day Sessions!.and Continues Evening Class TracksIn an effort to accommodate the myriad schedules MNA members have, the Labor Division has restructured some ofthe Labor School Tracks into two day-long sessions but will continue to offer those Tracks in the evening class structure as well.This Spring, Tom Breslin (Associate Director/Educator) will conduct Track 5 in Region 3 in both the five evening classes and twoday-long class configuration. Track 5 is particularly helpful to those in leadership who are making efforts to motivate memberinvolvement, improve communications within the unit and increase member awareness of union activities, services and benefits.But any member will find these programs to be a great opportunity to meet colleagues, share information and experiences, andexplore the interesting mechanics of your union and professional organization.Tom Breslin has also offered to provide customized, targeted training sessions for any bargaining unitwithin the region that may wish to gather a committee or other group to focus on a particular topic for instruction. These sessions could be held at either the region office or some other convenient location. If you haveany interest in arranging such a program, please contact the regional office at 508-888-5774.Track 5Building the Unit, Building the Union5 Evening Classes2 Day-long Classes3/23/10 Member Participation/Basic Foundation4/8/10First half curriculum3/30/10 Organizing the Workplace4/22/10Second half curriculum4/6/10Attacking Member Apathy4/27/10 Strategic Planning5/4/10Workplace ActionPlease reserve a space for me (check one below):Building the Unit, Building the Union Track 5- Five Evening Classes Track 5- Two Day classesMNALaborSchoolName EmailRN LPN APNOther (Specify)AddressClassesareCity State ZipFREETelephone: Daytime Eveningfor allPlace of EmploymentMNAMail to: MNA Region Council 3, Post Office Box 1363, Sandwich, MA 02563members

The Cranberry ScoopThe official Newsletter of MNA Regional Council ThreeWe’re on the Web!www.massnurses.org/region3

Directions to the Canal Club Function Facility: From Route 3: Route 3 south to Route 6. Take Route 6 West. Go over the Bourne Bridge and take first right off rotary OR go over the Sagamore, take exit 1C, left at lights onto 6A to the Bourne rotary. Second right off the rotary then right into Tedeschi's parking lot— Canal