November 16, 2007 |
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DMC NURSES TAKE CAMPAIGN BACK, SUSPEND HEARINGS
OFFICES CLOSED
SHARE THE HARVEST
NEW NATIONAL SAFE STAFFING ACT INTRODUCED
NURSE FUNDING VETOED
ALLERGIC TO LATEX? BEWARE THE BANANA!
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DMC NURSES TAKE CAMPAIGN BACK, SUSPEND HEARINGS
Over the past few weeks, MNA and the DMC nurses have held hearings in front of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in order to hold an election to become the certified representative of registered nurses at Harper Hutzel Hospital. On Friday, the MNA filed a request to withdraw the petition at Harper/Hutzel Hospital which is part of the Detroit Medical Center (DMC). The decision was done in consultation with nurses who preferred to wrestle away control from the legal process, which promises to be long and expensive, and put it back in the hands of working nurses at DMC.
The Employer was contending in the NLRB hearings that any nurse who worked as little as ten percent of their time as a charge nurse should be designated a supervisor and be denied the right to organize with MNA. Nurses will continue to work towards a free and fair election agreement with the Hospital. Labor unions, community groups, politicians, and religious leaders continue to support the nurses' efforts and are planning a demonstration in early December at DMC. Nurses have filed Unfair Labor Practices charges against DMC Hospitals over ongoing violations of labor law. The NLRB is currently investigating those charges and nurses began providing affidavits to Board officials on November 12.
OFFICES CLOSED
The MNA offices will be closed Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23 in celebration of Thanksgiving. MNA will reopen for business on Monday, November 26. NurseLine will not be published next week. Have a safe and bountiful Thanksgiving!
SHARE THE HARVEST
While Michigan health care providers are celebrating Thanksgiving, the nurses of Appalachian Regional Health Care in West Virginia/Kentucky are facing an increasing hostile management as the strike continues into its second month (click here for a report on the aggressive tactics being used). You can help encourage the nurses by making sure they have money to buy groceries for their Thanksgiving table and meet other expenses. Donations with checks can be made payable to the state nurses associations and designated for the strike fund (please note that nurses in the hospital system are represented by two affiliates across two states), to:
Kentucky Nurses Association
ATTN: Labor Program Director Dewey Parker
1400 South First St
Louisville, KY 40208
West Virginia Nurses Association
ATTN: E and GW Chair Rue Hairston, RN
PO Box 1946
Charleston, WV 25327
NEW NATIONAL SAFE STAFFING ACT INTRODUCED
The Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act (HR 4138) was introduced this week in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA) and Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL). When passed, the bill will " amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to impose minimum nurse staffing ratios in Medicare participating hospitals, and for other purposes." A copy of the bill is available at the Library of Congress (type in HR 4138 under "Search Bill Text").
NURSE FUNDING VETOED
On Tuesday this week, President Bush put his pen to work again and vetoed a spending bill that included an $18 million increase in 2008 to fund Nursing Workforce Develpment Programs. The American Nurses Association reports today that the House of Representatives failed to pass the FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act by a veto-proof margin. The final vote was 277-141. Congressional leaders and the Bush Administration will continue budget negotiations
ALLERGIC TO LATEX? BEWARE THE BANANA!
This week while listening to a talk radio show, the subject of "latex-fruit syndrome" was broached, particularly in regard to bananas. Being curious, NurseLine has delved a little further into this subject. According to Dr. Carlos Blanco, an international specialist, "investigations point to a group of defense-related plant proteins, class I chitinases, which cross-react with a major latex allergen, hevein, as the panallergens responsible for the syndrome." Consequently, those who are latex-sensitive or allergic to latex should be wary of bananas and plantains as well as chestnuts and avocados due to potential allergic reactions. There are several clinical studies on-line but a good overall look at latex-fruit syndrome can be found here.
Be sure to check out the MNA Events Calendar for all upcoming events and activities!