18
"Your first CNA/NNU contract
will provide you an oppor-
tunity to work with your RN
colleagues to improve condi-
tions for nurses and enhance
protections for patients. With
a CNA/NNU contract, your
employer cannot unilaterally
change your working condi-
tions or reduce salaries and
benefits. Any changes in the
workplace must be negotiated
between management and
RNs. You will elect your nurse
colleagues who will represent
you at the bargaining table,
and you will, of course, vote on
your contract."
Janice Webb, RN,
UC San Diego Medical Center
— San Diego, CA
Step #1
Facility Bargaining Council
and RN negotiating team
established
After the election, the RNs
in the CNA/NNU bargaining
unit at your hospital will elect
a Facility Bargaining Council
(FBC). There is no limit to the
number of RNs on the coun-
cil. Ideally, there should be at
least one RN per department
and per shift. The FBC is the
crucial link between your
nurse negotiating team and
all RNs in the bargaining unit.
A well-balanced FBC assures
maximum input from all RNs
in the contract process.
The FBC selects the nurse
negotiating team. The nego-
tiating team should be made
up of representatives from
different units to have the
broadest possible knowledge
of the facility. The size of the
team depends on the number
of RNs in the bargaining unit
at your hospital.
"Nurses won't have any power in the negotiating
process. CNA/NNU staff will be at the bargaining
table, not the RNs."
Myth #8
Truth:
