Local 5008
UNAP Local 5008 Kent Hospital
Annual Children’s Fundraiser
DCYF of Southern Rhode Island
Donations will go to children of all ages that find themselves in a desperate and often terrifying situation. Hurled into a world of uncertainty with only the clothes on their backs they have access to very little in terms of items we take for granted. At this time, Christmas time, can be particularly distressing for these kids.
Please help by donating coats, backpacks, personal hygiene products (for teens), toys for the little ones, and gift cards are always a good idea.
Drop offs always welcome at 375 Branch Ave Prov. RI Mon-Fri 9a-4p
Last collection day – Thursday December 8 -Crowne Plaza Warwick, RI
Union Wages Successful Fight For State Funding;
Legislative Leaders Step Up
Kent Hospital to Remain Free Standing Non-Profit
Last week, the CNE board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a new model to keep Kent Hospital free standing and non-profit. This decision was based on substantial funding from the state legislature in the most recent budget.
This is great news! Instead of lining the pockets of out of state for profit hospital chains and adding to the bloated dividends of Wall Street venture capital firms at the expense of quality patient care, employee pay, benefits and staffing levels, we can continue to serve our community as a Rhode Island based non-profit hospital.
Keeping our hospital out of the hands of greedy for profit hospital chains has been a top priority for the Union for over 5 years now. Our union put all of its lobbying skills and political action efforts and resources behind securing ARPA funds and higher Medicaid reimbursement rates to stabilize CNE’s finances to allow it to continue as a stand-alone non-profit.
UNAP President Trish Criner wrote letters to legislative leaders explaining the importance of state action. She published opinion pieces in the Warwick Beacon calling for state support and led an informational picket in front of the hospital demanding state support.
In the end, the Union is very pleased to report that Speaker Shekarchi made sure the state budget made Kent Hospital a priority. We can all be proud of a successful outcome.
SAVE OUR Hospital RAllY
Click Here: Save Our Hospital
Pay Issues
Pay Issues?
Every member deserves to be paid fully and accurately. Every cent earned must be paid. Your union is committed to making sure this happens for every member going backwards and forwards. If this did not happen or does not happen, we want to hear from you so we can help correct any errors. Pay errors fall into three categories, 1) Before kronos went down, 2) the period when kronos went down and 3) going forward.
Payroll issues before and after kronos:
The union has created a grievance form already filled out ready to use. All you have to do is fill in the specific issue including your name and the facts of the pay roll issue. The union will then process all grievances for/with you.
Grievance form for any payroll grievances: Payroll grievance form
Payroll Issues With kronos:
First and foremost, schedule a meeting with your manager and try to resolve any issue. Over 200 corrections have been processed after meetings between the manager and an employee.
If, for any reason, you are not satisfied after meeting with your manager or if there is an unresolved issue, contact the union for help. We will assist every member. We will need time cards requested by you from your manager, paystubs from icare and in some cases unit assignment sheets.
The union will work with the hospital to establish a dispute resolution process ending with a mutually agreed upon neutral to resolve any payroll issues.
There are several facts that are important for everyone to know:
* *If you owe the hospital money, do not sign a payback authorization if you dispute the amount owed.
*If you cannot pay back the money in the time specified, request additional time.
*The hospital cannot take back owed money without your authorization unless they go through proper legal channels and notify you ahead of time.
*The union has hired an accountant to explain tax issues related to pay check adjustments for those who either owe money or are owed money.
*Accountants did the reconciliation work that generated the figures given to the managers.
Union Announces Support for CNE/Lifespan Merger
Our Union has publicly announced support for the CNE/Lifespan merger. We have finally reached agreement with CNE and Lifespan representatives containing the principles our union has been advocating for over the last year. They include:
*Honoring our contract and all other agreements at Kent.
*Kent will be part of any agreement.
*Ability of members to work in as many CNE/Lifespan facilities as they want.
*No layoff for employees with 4 or more years of service.
*Agreement that a future Cancer Center or Central Laboratory will be union.
*Recommendation of a Board seat designated for a labor representative.
These agreements are in addition to prior agreements made with Kent that include:
*No transfer of any services performed at Kent to another facility.
*No subcontracting of union work.
Not only is the proposed merger better for our members, it is better for all of Rhode Island. A fully integrated Rhode Island based non-profit healthcare system will be far better than any alternative. There is no question that CNE cannot stand alone indefinitely. Having CNE purchased by a Wall Street backed for profit like Prospect Medical Holdings (owners of Roger Williams and Fatima) or Prime Healthcare (owners of Landmark) would be a disaster. Prime has paid out over $100 million to settle allegations of submitting false claims to Medicare, kickbacks and fraud. Prospect borrowed a half a billion dollars to fund dividend payments to their owners.
The forces that are causing healthcare facilities to integrate and combine are not unique to Rhode Island, nor are they new. For decades now the national trends and economic pressures have forced the combination of healthcare facilities into bigger and bigger entities. Hospitals that haven’t grown have closed.
An integrated system that includes Lifespan, Care New England and Brown University can do things to improve patient care that separate systems cannot. For example the new system will be able to build a state of the art Cancer Center to serve all Rhode Islanders, better coordinate care and a provide unitary electronic medical records system.
While a CNE/Lifespan merger is closer now than ever before, it still has to obtain regulatory approval. In the coming weeks and months, our union will work hard to make the case for approval to the Federal Trade Commission, State Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Health.
Update on Lifespan Corp. and Care New England Health System Merger Application
Click Here:
Payroll Errors
Notice to Members
Unfortunately everyone has been affected by a number of payroll errors. The union’s position is clear. Our hard working members have earned their pay. The Employer must do everything to rectify payroll errors immediately and pay employees what they have already earned. There are several different elements of payroll errors.
- There is the money owed employees from the Kronos ransomware. This effects if not all of our members, most of our members. At this time, there is not a set date for correction.
- Most recently, about 157 employees (union members and non-union members) received one week’s pay instead of two. HR has made manual checks at straight time available for pick up today, January 3rd.
- Any one of the 157 employees should go to HR today to pick up a check. This does not have anything to do with the money owed due to the Kronos ransomware issues. HR cannot rectify the pay issues related to the Kronos ransomware.
- The union is advising all members to keep close account and records of all hours worked, premiums earned and all money owed so that when corrected checks are issued, we can be sure the correct amount is paid.
- Going forward, any payroll errors outside of the kronos ransomware and the 157 mentioned above, please contact your manager immediately with any errors and the time worked and amounts owed for prompt resolution. Payroll will not make corrections without the manager’s approval. If your manager does not rectify the problem, call your union rep.
UNAP Local 5008 Kent Hospital
Annual Children’s Fundraiser
DCYF of Southern Rhode Island
Click here for details: Christmas Fundraiser
Membership Meeting
Vote on contract
A tentative agreement was reached between your negotiating team and the hospital on Friday, September, 17th. The three major issues separating the hospital and the union were resolved to the satisfaction of your negotiating team.
***There are no changes to medical insurance costs (premium share remains at current percentages).
***Leave of absence protections remain in place.
***There are raises in each year of the agreement.
The overall value of the wage package over the two years is, by far, the greatest since the union was formed. Please keep in mind that new pay scales provide different increases depending on job classification and years of service. Make sure you know your current rate of pay so that you can accurately identify your increase.
Your negotiating team is recommending acceptance.
Membership Meetings
When: Wednesday, September 29th, 8:00AM, 1:00PM, 4:00PM, 6:00PM or 8:00PM
Where: Crowne Plaza, Grand Ballroom (park around the side of the building)
Good News!!!
CNE/Lifespan Job Security Agreement Reached
On Wednesday night, May 13th, the union negotiating team reached an agreement with Kent Hospital on two critically important job security issues. In summary, here is the agreement:
- No subcontracting.
- No transfer, consolidation or closure of a service or program or part thereof at Kent as a result or in anticipation of a merger of Care New England or Kent.
- These two provisions will run coterminous with the next union contract.
As you all know, protecting our work from subcontracting and protecting our jobs from service lines or programs that are closed, consolidated or transferred resulting in a Care new England/Lifespan merger has been the very top priority for our union for several years now. Our next contract will provide that protection for the length of that contract.
It is important to note, that much work still has to be done but can only be done with the agreement of all of the unions and hospitals in Lifespan and Care New /England. For example members need to be allowed to work a second job in any of the Care New England or Lifespan hospitals. Another example is that eventually some work will be consolidated or transferred within the new system. We need a multi union and multiemployer agreement to provide the right for workers to follow the work wherever it goes without loss of seniority, pay and benefits. The agreement just reached prevents any movement of work for at least two years. A long term solution is needed. A coalition of all of the affected unions is currently working on a proposal to submit to Lifespan/Care New England to assure these rights for the long term.
The union has completed its proposals for the negotiations of the next contract. The union has contacted the hospital and requested bargaining dates. Negotiations will begin shortly.
National Labor Relations Board Notice
Click below
NLRB Notice
Membership Meeting
Lifespan and CNE Announce Agreement
Union Says Not So Fast!!!
CNE and Lifespan have announced that they have settled all of their differences and that they are prepared to move forward seeking regulatory approval for their merger. Your Union has weighed in on this issue. We have three primary demands.
- Protection of the integrity of Kent Hospital making sure that Kent is part of any final merger and not spun off to a bottom feeding for profit hospital chain.
- Assure continuation of all services our community has come to rely upon us to provide to them at our hospital.
- A signed written agreement protecting all member’s job security.
An important membership meeting is scheduled to fully brief every member on this important issue. At this time, your Union will be asking for volunteers to sign up for another contract committee to help us achieve our goals and fight for them if necessary.
Membership Meetings
When: Thursday, March 18th, 8:00AM, 1:00PM, 4:00PM, 6:00PM or 8:00PM
Zoom information to be announced on Wednesday March 17th.
Where: Crowne Plaza
The Future of Our Hospital is at Stake
Newsletter - January 2021
National Labor Relations Board Notice
Click below
NLRB Notice
Lifespan and CNE Announce Agreement
Union Says Not So Fast!!!
CNE and Lifespan have announced that they have settled all of their differences and that they are prepared to move forward seeking regulatory approval for their merger. Your Union is prepared to weigh in on this issue. We have three primary demands.
- Protection of the integrity of Kent Hospital making sure that Kent is part of any final merger and not spun off to a bottom feeding for profit hospital chain.
- Assure continuation of all services our community has come to rely upon us to provide to them at our hospital.
- A signed written agreement protecting all member’s job security.
To this end, we have sent a written request to the administration to begin negotiations over a written job security provision. We are ready to negotiate the terms of such agreement immediately.
An important membership meeting is scheduled to fully brief every member on this important issue.
Membership Meetings
When: Thursday, March 18th, 8:00AM, 1:00PM, 4:00PM, 6:00PM or 8:00PM
Where: Crowne Plaza
CNE and Lifespan Announce Agreement
Your Union Is Ready for the Challenge!!
To: Reps, active members and Executive Board
No surprise. Today, CNE and Lifespan announced that they have resolved all differences and that they are prepared to move forward seeking regulatory approval for their merger. Not so fast!! The top executives and board members don’t get to decide the future of health care in Rhode Island on their own. Your union has been and is prepared to weigh in on this issue. We will have three primary demands:
- Protection for the integrity of Kent Hospital making sure that Kent is part of any final merger and not spun off to a bottom feeding for profit.
- Assure the continuation all service lines our community has come to rely upon us to provide to them at our hospital.
- A signed written agreement protecting all member’s job security.
To this end we have done the following:
*A letter was sent to the administration today to demand negotiations over a written job security agreement. We are ready to begin negotiations immediately.
*We have sent out a press release explaining our position to the public and elected officials.
* A membership meeting is scheduled for Thursday March 18th at the usual times to brief all of our members. Note: Flyers announcing the meeting to be distributed.
*We will be sending a communication to all members within the next 24 hours
It is important to note that while there is great potential benefit to a CNE/Lifespan merger, there are also serious risks. A fully integrated non-profit and Rhode Island based health care system can provide better patient care and can be a better place to work. But that will not happen by itself. It will only happen if the final agreement includes guarantees that Kent remains a full service hospital for our community and that there are protections for our members job security. This is the challenge. I’m up to the task and I know you are too.
Sincerely,
Trish Criner, RN
President UNAP Local 5008
LOCAL 5008
OFFICERS & REPRESENTATIVES MEETING
18TH FEBRUARY 2021
ROTUNDA ROOM,
CROWNE PLAZA,WARWICK,
8AM, 1PM, 4PM, 6PM, 8PM
ATTENDANCE IS ADVISED
___________
Election of Officers
Running for president: Trish Criner and Michael Choquette.
Running for executive vice president of RNs:
Lianne Jacavone, Rose Desnoyers and Mary Quinn.
Date: Monday the 28thth at the Crowne Plaza
Times: 7:30am - 9:00am, 1:00pm - 2:30pm, 4:00pm - 5:30pm, 7:45pm - 8:30 pm
All members in good standing may vote for one of the candidates listed above.
Ballots will be counted after the polls close.
___________________________________________
GIVING BACK TO OTHERS DRIVE
HELPING CHILDREN UNDER DCYF CARE IN THE SOUTHERN END OF RHODE ISLAND
KENT COUNTY, SOUTH COUNTY AND
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Thank you to everyone who generously donated on the 19th November.
We are still collecting donations. Items may be dropped off at UNAP
anytime up until the 3rd December
ESPECIALLY IN NEED OF THINGS FOR TEENS!
DUE TO COVID DCYF WOULD PREFER GIFT CARDS BUT WILL ACCEPT PRODUCTS
IN URGENT NEED OF HAIRBRUSHES, DEODORANT,
TOOTHBRUSHES AND TOOTHPASTE
HOODIES, SWEAT PANTS/SUITS, T-SHIRTS, COATS (NO HATS OR GLOVES)
GIFT CARDS TO TARGET, KHOLS, WALMART, BEST BUY, MOVIE TICKETS,
BASKETBALLS, FOOTBALLS, SOCCER BALLS, FISHING POLES,
NAIL POLISH, MAKEUP, LOTIONS, TOILETRIES, AXE SLEEPING BAGS, PILLOWS
ANYTHING THAT TEENS LIKE
LOCAL 5008
REPRESENTATIVE MEETING
NOVEMBER 19TH 2020
CROWNE PLAZA,WARWICK,
8AM, 1PM, 4PM, 6PM, 8PM
**********
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP VOTE
81 percent of votes in favor of Tentative Agreement.
Contract passes.
***********
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP VOTE (ALL MEMBERS EXPECTED TO VOTE)
**********
Negotiations Update - 24th September 2020
Your negotiating team had a productive meeting with the administration on Tuesday evening. A number of important issues were resolved in principle. There are still at least two serious and important issues unresolved and all of the agreements in principle have to be reduced to writing and signed off.
One final negotiating session is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30th. At that time, the last two unresolved issues will have to be resolved and all of the agreements reached in principle Tuesday night then reduced to writing and signed off. Your team is sticking to the October 15th strike deadline and the October 5th 10 day strike notice deadline.
Trish Criner
KENT MEMBERSHIP/CONTRACT COMMITTEE MEETING
Anyone willing to help to fight for a fair contract is welcome
When: Thursday, 17th September 2020 - 8.00 a.m., 1.00 p.m., 4.00 p.m., 6.00p.m., 8.00 p.m.
Where: Grand Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick /Zoom ID: 946 1673 4412
AGENDA
- Update on status of negotiations
- Plan and vote on an action plan
- Member outreach, education and involvement
- Set deadline
Significant progress has been made since we last met because you’ve done a great job educating members and getting everyone to wear buttons. It is fair to say some of the most objectionable employer proposals have been taken off the table and there is now a wage increase on the table. However there has not been enough progress to recommend an Agreement. There are still several objectionable employer proposals on the table and wage issues are unresolved.
We need to update all of you, set a deadline and get approval for our latest moves. We look forward to seeing you.
UPDATE
NEGOTIATIONS - August 25th, 2020
ON AUGUST 20th, 2020, THE CONTRACT COMMITTEE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO AUTHORIZE TO PICKET IF PROGRESS WAS NOT MADE. BASED ON PROGRESS MADE LAST NIGHT, THE NEGOTIATING TEAM AGREED TO HOLD OFF PICKETING.
POINTS
- Significant movement regarding wage increase:
Employer offered 2% wage increase June, 2021
Suspend step progression beginning January 1st, 2021
Team has neither accepted nor counter-proposed. Team to discuss further before submitting
- Movement regarding LOA benefit:
Employer softened the cut by adding stipulations
Team did not accept
- Medical Insurance rate structure Tier 2 to 4:
Employer withdrew
- PTO amendments:
Employer did not change position
Team did not accept
- Working spouse premiums:
2020 $650 annual
2021 $900 annual
2022 $1200 annual
2023 $1800 annual
Team did not accept
- Offer CNE program wellness credit in place of current rewards program:
On hold. No decision.
POINTS AGREED
- Duration of contract: 07/01/2020 - 06/30/2021
- Eliminate opt-out payments for medical and dental.
- Form joint committee, to review market analysis of all job classifications with a plan to address those below market during next negotiations. Step structure and longevity will also be addressed as part of this analysis.
- Offer in house pharmacy
TEAM STANDS STEADFAST ON PRIOR PROPOSAL ITEMS SUCH AS: NO SUB-CONCTRACTING, $3/HOUR PREMIUM GREEN AND BLACK CONTRACT, ETC.
PICKET DATES ON HOLD DUE TO/AND PENDING FURTHER MOVEMENT BY EMPLOYER
BUTTONS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY NEXT WEEK (shipped August 27th)
NEXT NEGOTIATIONS: September 10th, 2020
NEXT CONTRACT COMMITTEE MEETING: September 17th, 2020 (CROWNE PLAZA - 8AM, 1PM, 4PM, 6PM, 8PM
In Solidarity,
Trish Criner
UNAP Contract Committee Meeting
August 20th, 2020
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick (Grand Ballroom)
8.00 a.m., 1.00 p.m., 4.00 p.m. 6.00 p.m., 8.00 p.m.
ALL MEMBERS WELCOME
(Physical presence preferred. Zoom available)
Zoom ID:
977 5747 4989
NOTE: All Zoom Attendees must sign in by putting your name, department, e-mail and phone number in the chat box – failure to do so may result in being blocked from the meeting.
REMEMBER TO MUTE UNTIL WE ADDRESS ZOOM PARTICIPANTS FOR QUESTIONS OR INPUT
(Background noise becomes too disruptive during meeting)
- Introduction - A few words from the President
- Update on Negotiations - Jack Callaci
- Action plan
- Vote - Zoom participants will be asked for show of hands - YES or NO in chat box
- Member outreach - Details of “YOUR” mission
UNAP Local 5008 Updates
Negotiations Update
August 13, 2020
Re: Yesterday's Negotiations
No significant compromise by the employer.
Go forward as planned with August 20th meeting we will discuss strategy going forward:
i. Build up our force with numbers
ii. Buttons ( 4 designs with clear messages) we urge all to wear in solidarity (if buttons not ready we will have reps pass out when available)
iii. Vote for picket
I urge all who want to be involved (and I cannot imagine anyone who would not) show up and be counted and help.
Trish Criner
July 23, 2020
There have been 3 negotiations meetings. Here are the positions of the hospital and the union at this time.
Hospital
No increases of any kind calendar year 2021 including.
- No cost of living wage increase through 12/31/2021.
- No step increases for calendar year 2021.
- No longevity increases.
- Increased costs to medical benefit.
- Cut life insurance benefit in half .
- Dramatically cut job protection on leave of absence.
- Cut PTO to some, increase PTO to some and no change to others.
Union
- 3% increase April 1, 2021.
- Steps paid on 6 month delay.
*All steps will be paid. But the 2021 step payment will be six months later than when they are due. The next step will be paid six months after that.
Example- Anniversary date of February 3. Step paid August 2021 (six month delay). Next Step paid February 3, 2022. Thereafter steps paid February 3rd.
- Longevities paid.
- No reductions to any provisions in our contract.
Contact one of our bargaining members listed below with questions.
Trish Criner (401) 474-0154
Michael Choquette (401) 743-2231
Rose Desnoyers (401) 864-4070
Barbara Dubois (401) 429-8138
Michelle Egan (401) 451-4897
Lisa Ferry (401) 4861236
Emma Franco (401) 787-7033
Janet Harris (401) 480-1894
Nicole Jarvis (401) 569-6249
James Lemieux (401) 316-1688
Michelle Lopez (401) 6392828
Gail McKenna (401) 996-6022
Mary Quinn (401) 487-6964
Deb Correia (401) 461-2668
Jan Colvin (401 499-8307
You deserve better than this.
You have put your life on the line for the past 5 months!
Get Ready To Fight For A Fair Deal
May 29, 2020
Covid 19 Updates
Other colored scrubs will still be allowed for ED, ICU, and 5West, as those areas take the C-19 positive patients- other units are asked to please start wearing uniforms dictated by employer policy.
EVS will be decided by those leaders in charge of that department-please refer to their direction.
Portable shower has been sent back due to non-use- employees are still welcome to use showers within the hospital if he or she feels they need to wash and change clothes before going home.
Bridge pay is extended until June 14th for all units. On that date the pay will no longer be offered to med surg units- Float pool-ER and ICU/PRG will be reevaluated at that time for need.
Please stay safe
Trish
May 15, 2020
Hello all,
In collaboration with Millennial Rhode Island, Treasurer Magaziner and Attorney General Neronha are hosting a Virtual Town Hall on Student Loans on Wednesday, May 20 at 6 pm. They will be sharing the new federal programs to assist borrowers in response to COVID19, as well as the protections for student borrowers in Rhode Island with our Student Loan Bill of Rights.
Registration is at this link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8688065311948232717.
Contact Rhode Island AFL-CIO riaflcio@aol.com if any questions
Update:
Covid Situation:
Numbers in state going down
Others hospitals going back to normal operations
Numbers in hospital past peak or at least manageable
Many staff still out (LOA) or out with symptoms
Surgical Services to begin cases again
PPE remains topic of discord with union
Conference call with Governors office Re: Impact on healthcare
Points:
Involve actual workers in the discussion instead of going straight to the CEO’s for information.
Failure to prepare- Complacency vs. misappropriation of funds i.e. monies averted away from preparations due to “problems that do not exist yet”.
Arbitrations
June 11th 2020- Secretary ER passed over for shift after submitting bid -
Dates pending…
Holiday/OT pay
Bumping-pertaining to lay-off
On-call issue
Dialysis
Employer has chosen to disregard all advice against outsource
Petitions:
Please fax or scan and email to me
Will present to Bob Haffey-
Prime reason to include language in contract
Re: Movement of jobs and services
Outsourcing departments
Related Press releases:
Wed, May 13 at 12:07 PM
Kent Hospital outsourcing dialysis services; 7 nurses may lose jobs
http://wahttp://warwickonline.com/stories/nurses-petition-to-save-hospital-dialysis-program,153150?
Kent Hospital lays off nurses "in response to the changing financial climate" – ABC6
May 5, 2020
Administration Trades Quality for the
Worst in for Profit Medicine,
Fires Dedicated Dialysis Nurses
The Kent Way. This morning, the administration fired all of the dedicated dialysis nurses and subcontracted the work to a for profit company with a disgraceful record of cheating and deceit. The Union opposes this decision and will continue to do so in the hospital and in the public domain.
Our administration is turning its back on a high quality program and over 150 years of dialysis nursing experience for the following:
“Dialysis giant DaVita is accused in a federal lawsuit of misleading shareholders in an elaborate effort to inflate its financials by intentionally steering poor patients toward private insurers that paid 10 times more for dialysis treatments than the government.”*
“As a result, the financial benefits to DaVita were enormous: a $4,000 per dialysis payday from private insurance companies rather than $300 or less the government would pay for the same procedure.”*
“DaVita paid $495 million in May 2015 to settle whistleblower claims the company conspired to overcharge the U.S. government. That was seven months after it paid $400 million to settle separate claims that it had offered doctors joint ventures that included agreements not to send patients to non-DaVita clinics.”*
“Last year, the company disclosed that its pharmacy arm, DaVita Rx, had received an investigative subpoena from a federal prosecutor in Texas over allegations the company made false claims on prescription medicines to the government since 2006.”*
*Denver Post Article written by investigative reporter David Magoya, 2/22/17
DaVita is facing 39 federal lawsuits from current and former Colorado employees who claim they’re owed money for unpaid wages and overtime. According to website law360.com, a
California judge in 2017 approved a $6 million settlement between DaVita and 6,000 employees who had accused the company of shortchanging them on wages.
The Kent Way???
As we all know, our administration went to lengths and expense to come up with the “The Kent Way”. We all got training in accountability and mutual respect. Evidently that training only applies to staff and not the administration. Does firing dedicated dialysis nurses for a shady for profit company show respect for our dialysis nurses? Is this administration accountable for quality patient care when they welcome into our hospital a company that cheats employees and our government?
Protecting Our Work and the Coming Negotiations
Before we learned of the dialysis fiasco, your negotiating team identified protecting our work as a top priority for the upcoming negotiations. Our demands will include a blanket prohibition on subcontracting. We just learned that Care New England wants get approval from the state to spend $39 million constructing a surgi-center in the Providence area. If they are successful, that work will come at the expense of our members at Kent. We will oppose this construction unless the new facility employs our members. Wages and benefits are an important part of every negotiations. But better wages and benefits are meaningless unless jobs are protected. Be prepared to fight for this important protection.
April 27, 2020
Hazard Pay
Many of you have been asking about “Hazard Pay” and is the union trying to achieve this for this membership. I know many of you have asked only to encounter an answer many do not want to hear. Please don’t perceive my answers as glib or read my level of anguish personally, as I have encountered a level of resistance that is often upsetting to me.
Right now I feel compelled to reach out to all of you as a group and address the issue.
Initially I did seek hazard or premium pay for our unique circumstances from the employer (CNE), of which I was told no- reasons similar to the rationale given by Partners Health Care to Mass General and Brigham workers.
"A core part of our mission is that we deliver the same high-quality care to all patients without regard to the type of severity of their condition. Similarly, we do not calibrate pay and benefits based on the patients' condition and for this reason we do not offer hazard or crisis pay.",
Partners CEO Anne Klibanski, MD
Please note the employees receiving hazard pay in Massachusetts are specific to state run facilities.
“Members working in state human services facilities and group homes”,
Council 93 AFSME
The UNAP petitions pertain to ALL healthcare workers.
We’ve presented our cause to our political leaders and the case has been taken to the state and now the federal government. The proposal is termed “The Hero Fund” put forth by Senate Democrats. Hopefully, as this moves through the house it will encounter little opposition.
Keep a close eye on what's going on politically and the relief packages that come out of the White House. Also, check in with my weekly updates as I will have information on our position in the public and political arena.
Added note: If you know of anyone who is not receiving updates please have them send updated cell phone information. Due to the present circumstances texting has been my main way of communication and we need all on board and informed. (Address, phone and email updates- aadamo@unap.org)
Stay well,
Trish Criner
UNAP Updates April 22nd, 2020
Contract Committee Meetings are still going strong – be alert for any impromptu meetings via Zoom- I urge everyone to become familiar with the app so you will be comfortable joining the next session. The last meetings on April 16th were quite productive. Be advised these Zoom conferences will be held at 1p, 4p, and 6p. I will send either email or text with conf. ID and password. If you do not receive either just text me and I will be glad to send it to you.
The AHA has granted a grace period for CPR and ACLS certifications. Due to restrictions and policies, hands on training is not possible at this time, therefore, the AHA has issued an extended grace period for those whose certification expires during this time.
“March 31, 2020 AHA Policy on Expired Cards for Update/Renewal Courses:
- Over the next 120 days, for providers whose cards have expired due to inability to complete training during the COVID- 19 outbreak, the AHA will allow Instructors to provide remediation during update courses.”
A mobile shower unit has been placed in Drs. Auditorium parking lot for staff use. All accessible showers have been assigned in communication from employer.
N95 1810 have not been replenished, therefore, new product 1860’s replaced them. Some will need fit test for product.
During discussions with affiliates from local hospitals it seems as though the Northern parts of RI are receiving the larger percent of COVID- 19 positive in the state, but that does not mean we in Southern RI can put our guard down. We can still expect a surge at any time. Due to excessive LOA, FMLA, and sporadic leaves due to exposures we continue to experience an insufficient staffing situation. New models of care are being proposed and put to practice- some are ok while others fail miserably.
If any of you have an issue with the practice on your floor or unit that you have been assigned, please feel free to air your thoughts and ideas to the people that are introducing these new protocols, those in charge are Judy Thorpe and Claudia Maine. Your input is needed and CERTAINLY not a reason for punitive measures. I have urged both administrators on numerous occasions to round the floors and solicit concerns. Please be candid, as they DO need the opinions of those that are doing the job so they can assess the strengths and weaknesses of these new plans.
New UNAP members who work in the lab are currently voting on their contract. They will join the rest of the Kent union members in negotiations in the next couple of months.
Negotiations Update
Preparations for negotiations are on track. Between reading all of the survey results, considering issues brought forward by the contract committee and priorities identified by the Executive Board, the contract committee gave final approval for all contract proposals on April 16th. The ideas will now be reduced to written formal proposals.
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everything in life including the negotiations of the next contract. For example, the current limit of attendance in meetings is no larger than 5. This prevents our full negotiating team of 15 from meeting in person. We will have to determine whether to go forward by a form of teleconferencing or starting negotiations after the state lifts the 5 person limit to meetings. Obviously COVID-19 is having an adverse effect on CNE’s finances. All hospitals are losing substantial amounts of money. No one knows at this time how much those losses will be offset by an infusion of federal dollars ear marked for offsetting hospital expenses for dealing with COVID-19.
A summary of proposals will be sent to members shortly. It isn’t too early to say that the need to raise the wages of our members to be more competitive with Lifespan, Women and Infants and other hospitals will clash with Kent’s financial ability to meet our demands.
Politics
This week I would like to add a message from our partner Ray Sullivan. Ray keeps us in tune and active in the political arena. Moving mountains is his specialty.
I recognize the challenges we're all working under, and I genuinely appreciate your commitment and sacrifices. The UNAP has an open line of communication with Governor Raimondo and all four members of our state's Congressional Delegation and we continue to raise issues that are important to our members.
We speak regularly with the Raimondo Administration, and recently held a Tele-Town Hall with Sen. Jack Reed, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman David Cicilline and Congressman Jim Langevin. This call, exclusively for UNAP and Teamster members, was a great opportunity for us to raise questions ranging from PPE issues, to hazard pay, to understanding how federal relief funding is being steered to Rhode Island hospitals. If you weren't able to join us on last Saturday's call and still have a question, send it to me and I will work with our team to track down an answer.
Ray Sullivan
Partner
(401) 885.0666 - office
(401) 219.9004 - mobile
Please stay well and take care of one another,
Trish Criner
First Responders Support Kent Hospital Employees
Letter From Trish Criner, RN
President Local 5008
April 10, 2020
Dear Member,
As a result of frequent discussions with hospital administrators we are able to address some of your immediate needs during this time, so please feel free to contact myself 401-474-0154 (detailed text is better) or you may call the office and discuss with Jack or Jeanne 401-486-3903 office no. 401-831-3647.
The latest…
- Facilities will be made available to those who choose to shower before leaving the hospital. (please watch for e-mails Re: provisions)
- Hospital is unable to accommodate use of the OR scrubs. They cite not enough supply, however, for the time being we may wear other scrubs besides those that are dress code.
- Buddy rule for donning and donning relaxed in order to save time for provider- ( must demonstrate skill one time with checklist and submit to Management).
- RN’s that are deployed to another site during crisis will receive float premium (please make sure you communicate this with timekeeper).
Many of you have either been redeployed to other places, or facing disruptions in routine. Plans were developed to try to best accommodate a 35 bed ICU and a mass number of Covid positive patients elsewhere in the facility.
The changes were sudden as numbers of infected rose around the area. I realize these new measures can be way out of ones comfort zone. In order to get through this situation, we are all called on to adjust and continue to deliver care.
This will not be forever and when it is over we can all go back to life as usual. Until the resolution comes, we will have to accept some diversity and try to manage with each others help.
Be well and stay safe!
Trish Criner
Letter From Trish Criner, RN
President Local 5008
April 2, 2020
As you all know, the preparation for and effects of the Covid-19 public health emergency on our work place are changing daily. We just returned from a meeting with the administration and the most up to date information is as follows:
*There are no covid-19 layoffs or mandatory furloughs.
*Certain work areas with low census will be offered voluntary furloughs for limited periods of time. Please note that voluntary furloughs will be granted on a case by case basis. For example, there may be more requests for furloughs than the hospital can grant, or a person may want a voluntary furlough but is in possession of needed skills. For example, a nurse with recent ICU experience working in outpatient would be denied a furlough. Furloughed employees may collect unemployment or use earned time. Your manager will be explaining details if furloughs are on offer in your work area.
*Employees do not have a right to refuse to care for Covid-19 patients. If a member has a medical condition that they think prohibits them from caring for a Covid-19 patient, they must get authorization for the refusal from occupational health. The employee will risk his or her employment if he or she refuses care without occupational health authorization.
*The union is committed to protecting everyone’s standard hours, shift, and weekend commitment if any. However, during this crisis, employees may be working in units other than their own doing things other than what they have been doing in their regular assignment. The union will fight for proper training and assignments that are consistent with proper training.
*We will have to cancel the April contract committee meeting because no one will rent us space to meet. The Crowne Plaza refused to allow meetings in their space. We will bring everyone together as soon as the state lifts the ban on meetings of more than 5 people.
*We ask that everyone be as flexible as you can be and help in any way that you can as we get through the worst of this public health crisis.
Letter From Trish Criner, RN
President Local 5008
April 1, 2020
Dear Member,
I’m sure all you have been keeping abreast of the latest news and developments in the Corona pandemic. In the coming weeks and perhaps months we will likely be seeing a significant surge of patients. As frontline workers we are THE MOST necessary element in society at this moment, a responsibility that very few would disregard or take lightly.
Plans, models, and execution of this action are occurring simultaneously given the short space of time to prepare. Most of us will be needed in order to manage the massive intake of patients. We as a union are trying to ensure that everyone is kept working their regular hours and that no one is asked to take on any task he or she is not properly trained or retrained to perform. We expect the administration to utilize the talents and capabilities of each individual and also be trained for those skills that can be learned in a brief period of time. As your leader I do ask that if flexibility in shifts or weekends is possible and that you stand up and be willing to adjust for this short period in time.
Now more than ever we will need to depend on one another for help in any form. All of us should be willing to lend a hand and hold each other up emotionally, as these are times that will try ones very soul. I don’t know what the near future holds, but I guarantee you and I will not come out the same on the other side. We will be stronger for rising to the challenge for our community and one another.
In Solidarity,
Trish Criner
Kent Pharmacy Access
“As part of our ongoing effort to provide you with enhanced access, we are excited to announce the opening of the Care New England pharmacy on April 5th. The pharmacy will be located at Kent Hospital, adjacent to the main entrance in the back of the building. At this point, the pharmacy is open to CNE employees and family members that are covered on a Care New England medical plan.
Employees and family members who are currently participating in the CNE Health Plan are invited to use the new CNE pharmacy. The copays will be the same as your local pharmacy; however you will have the convenience of onsite access. The CNE pharmacy will also offer 90 day fills. Those covered under the Choice Plus HSA Plan will be subject to the plan deductible. Payroll deduction will also be available for benefited employees.
The main pharmacy at Kent will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as well as Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
We are excited to share this news with you and encourage you to utilize the new CNE pharmacy. For additional information on the CNE pharmacy, including how to fill prescriptions, please visit Carenewengland.org/pharmacy. If you have questions regarding the pharmacy or availability of your medication please call the CNE pharmacy at (855) 981-1909.”
CDC
Rhode Island Department of Health
Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
Workplace Fact Sheet
United Way Resource Sheet
Newsletters
March 2019
April 2019
May 2019
LOCAL 5008 Scholarship
The Kent Hospital Local 5008 Scholarship Fund
Instructions for filing:
All information requested must be supplied by the applicant. Any forms
requiring signatures must be signed.
Applications must include:
Required essay legibly written or typed.
Completed application form.
Applicants must submit application form and related material to:
TCriner@unap.org or mail to:
Local 5008
United Nurses & Allied Professionals
375 Branch Avenue
Providence, RI 02904
Applications and material submitted are treated as confidential. The deadline
for applying is March 31,2020. Must be received by 4:00 P.M.
Review of applications will be during the month of April.
Award will be made on April 30, 2019 for the next academic year.
Rules and Regulations & Qualifications
Scholarship applicant must be a Local 5008 member or child of Local 5008 member (under age of 25).
Students must be enrolled in a degree granting institution and credit classes.
Students must be enrolled at least halftime.
Scholarship recipient must be Local5008 member or child of a Local 5008 member at time of award.
Checks will be made payable to the individual.
Please note: We will be publicizing the winner of the scholarship.
Process for Decision Making
A three-person committee will choose the winner of the scholarship. The
committee will be comprised of three Local 5008 Executive Council members.
The essay will be judged based on form and content.
There will be one $500.00 scholarship awarded.
Representatives 2018-2019
Area 1 –ER
Dawn Martin
Area 2 – Progressive Care, ICU, 2 West, Respiratory, Cardiology, Quality Assurance, Infection Control
Jennifer Cruz, RN Vice President
Jacqueline Chiarillo, Respiratory - 578-2405
Carey Diraimo, RN Progressive - 226-4533
Lianne Jacavone, RN Progressive - 942-1266
Nicole Jarvis, ICU - 569-6249
Cheryl St.George, PROG - 837-0476
Area 3 – Preadmission , OR Main, PACU, ASC. Outpatient Surgery, Cath Lab, Endoscopy, Special Procedures, Orderlies, CSR, Storeroom, Anesthesia Assistants, Endo Techs and Endo Assistants
Janet Harris, OR-Main – Vice President – 480-1894
Michelle Lopez, Vice President, ASC Tech – 823-4049
Kathy Demirjian, PACU – 463-9497
Rose Desnoyers, RN - 864-4070
Joanna Detroia , PACU ASC – 781-5923
Maureen McNelis, secretary, PAT - 480-7667
Jennifer Muschiano, ASC - 413-4094
Arthur Spinard, ENDO Tech – 749-2999
Gayle Vincent, OPSU ASC – 451-5216
Sheena Vidler-Given, OR Main – 787-0589
Area 4 – Third Floor, 3 South, 3 North, Nsg Office Floats, 3 West (Women's Care) L&D, Nursery, dialysis, 3 North, Lift Team
Mary Quinn, L&D - Vice President - 487-6964
Matthew Johnson, Lift Team - 301-6288
James Kralicky, RN Float Pool - 749-0107
Rebecca Laplant, RN Float Pool - 489-8160
Susan Michaud, CNA Float Pool - 433-2492
Area 5 - 4th Floor, 5th Floor, Rehab, 2 North
Barbara Dubois, 5W -Vice President - 429-8138
Jennifer Fratus, 4W - 692-1469
Charles Gracie 4NW - 743-6195
Susan Mochrie, 4NW - 826-2775
Jane Nardone, 5W
Shana Peltier, CNA 4NW - 651-3993
Cheryl Scorpio, secretary 4W - 465-1200
Area 6 – Environmental Services, Food services, Diagnostics, Engineering
Emma Franco, Ultrasound, Vice President - 787-7033
Susan Barbour, facilities - 465-1219
Dawn Bowden, EVS - 258-3458
Joanne Budnick, EVS - 727-0726
Deborah Correia, EVS - 461-2668
Duarte Ed Costa, Facilities - 871-0424
Dan Knapp, Facilities - 932-8262
Gail Lucas, EVS - 826-1664
Sandy Robinson, EVS - 789-6471
Sheryl Tondreau, Dietary - 835-5535
Darlene St. George, Xray - 378-7592
Area 7 - HME, TAC, Phlebs, Sleep Lab & Clinic, Breast Center, Wound Care, IV, IT, Education, Outpatient Infusion
Lisa Demers Ferry, Vice President –OPIU –486-1236
Jan Colvin, Infusion Unit – 739-6826
Marianne Bond, Co.Care – 294-8131
Diane Fitzpatrick, Co. Care – 480-8265
Jane Lamanna, Infusion Unit – 996-7846
Virginia MacMillan, Spec Proc – 524-3650
Janice McKenna, Infusion Unit - 474-9050
Julienne Miner, Wound Center – 864-9473
Judith A Gravier, HME - 486-5737
Doreen Walsh, HME - 486-7432
Jean Gagnon, Lab - 741-3080
Luz Molina, Lab - 722-1869
Area 8_VP at Large RN
Rose Desnoyers
Area 9 VP at Large Other Employees
Michelle Eagan, ASC Tech, Vice President @ large - 451-4897
Kent UNAP Local 5008:
In the News
Newly Elected Officers
2018-2019
President: Trish Criner, BSN, RN-BC (ICU)
Executive VP: Michael Choquette, RN (3 North)
Treasurer: Andrea Mayer, RN (ICU)
Secretary: Gail McKenna, RN (ER)
Executive VP: Michelle Lopez, OR Tech (ASC)
Congratulations to the winners! Lets not forget the people who ran for these seats and did not succeed.
Environmental Services Vote to Join Local 5008 October 2014
In an astounding 53-36 vote Local 5008 welcomes nearly 100 environmental services workers at Kent into the union. With this win, the Local is poised to be more formidable in the 2015 negotiations.
Any other groups within the hospital interested in organizing should contact Bob Martinez (484.8262) or Jeanne Jose (831.3647). The recent successful campaigns in the CNA/Tech group and Environmental Services should serve as a beacon of hope that all employees at Kent will have the option to unionize and protect worker's rights through a negotiated contract.
Kent CNA/Techs Bargain First Contract
Local 5008's newest members have negotiated their first contract, which will expire mid-2015. At that time, the RN unit will join them in negotiations.
2013 Member Survey
Local 5008 leadership has recognized that attendance at membership meetings has been very low in the past. We would like to improve this. It is important now and moving forward that we stand together and form a united and cohesive front as we battle with the ever-changing healthcare marketplace and future contract negotiations. Now that Memorial Hospital has joined Care New England, we predict that many items of our superior contract will come under attack.
Please click here to fill out this short survey to help improve and shape the future of membership meetings and Local 5008!
2012 Members Approve Contract Extension
The Hospital and the Union reached a tentative agreement to extend the contract on October 9, 2012. The Union membership approved the contract by a vote of 113 - 3 on October 15, 2012.
2011 Members Approve New Three Year Agreement
The Hospital and the Union reached a tentative agreement on a new three year contract on June 30, 2011.The Union negotiating team voted unanimously to recommend the agreement to the full membership. The membership approved the contract by a vote of 122 to 5 on July 13, 2011.
Both parties described the negotiation process as productive, positive and carried out in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Union President Rose Desnoyers, RN said "This Agreement successfully addresses the key priorities of the negotiating team. We protected our benefits and pension, achieved modest wage increases and made significant progress on a number of important work place issues. We are very pleased with this Agreement." For copies of the tentative agreement please call the office. The new contract must be proof read carefully and sent out for printing. A copy of the contract will be posted on the UNAP website. A brief summary of highlights is as follows:
***Protection of benefits. The medical /dental plan will remain unchanged for the next 3 ½ years except that the employee contribution to the medical plan will increase by one per cent on January 1, 2014 and an additional one percent on January 1, 2015. The pension benefit level from the old pension plan is now guaranteed in writing and the employer contributions to the 403(b) match and savings plan are also guaranteed.
***Wages will increase by 2% in each of three years in addition to steps and longevity raises.
***Leave of absence job protection is greatly improved for part-timers with twenty or more years of service.
***Routine verbal and written warnings will be considered stale at nine months and 15 months respectively. In addition, routine verbal warnings and written warnings will be removed from the employee's file at the request of the employee provided there are no subsequent disciplines in the following two year period.
***Improved education funding.
***Immediate termination for failure to pay dues.
***Ability to use one pto day (exclusive of weekends and holidays) for personal leave not subject to upto time and attendance policy.
***Correct morning/holiday issue for Christmas and New Years Day.
Click here for Projo article Kent ratifies contract