[1199SEIU RN]

Today NY Governor Paterson announced a three-way agreement on legislation to restrict the use of mandatory overtime for RNs and LPNs in New York State.

1199SEIU nurses are thrilled, after 6 years of lobbying, letter writing, and petition signing. This is a huge victory for nurses and patients in New York State, and demonstrates the effectiveness of nurses when we unite around an issue!

[loricatus]

Any word on mandatory patient ratios, yet? That is, by far, the most important issue for NY area nurses.

[cupcake25]

It's nice to hear there is a governor out there that actually does something positive. Way to go New York nurses!

[1199SEIU RN]

You are right about nurse-to-patient ratios! We have a bill submitted in NY to set ratios for hospitals and other acute care settings, as well as a separate bill for nurses and CNAs in nursing homes. However, it was very important to get a ban on mandatory overtime first, so employers would not make up those ratios by mandating nurses......

[kcochrane]

This is awesome. Thanks to all the nurses that worked on this.

[RNKittyKat]

It is a victory but without a ratio law, they can make you work short. They're going to find any way they can to save $$. I hope it won't take long to get that ratio law passed. That would be sweet.

[1199SEIU RN]

They can make you work short now, no? We do need to work for the ratio law--it took nurses over 6 years of work to get this historic agreement in New York. I'm sure it will take a lot of work to get staffing ratios, but we (nurses of the 1199SEIU Nurse Alliance) are in it for the long run. And it will be a loooong run! Come join us in Albany next Spring when we lobby for safe staffing! All nurses are welcome.

[loricatus]

Originally Posted by 1199SEIU RN

You are right about nurse-to-patient ratios! We have a bill submitted in NY to set ratios for hospitals and other acute care settings, as well as a separate bill for nurses and CNAs in nursing homes. However, it was very important to get a ban on mandatory overtime first, so employers would not make up those ratios by mandating nurses......

What can we nurses do now to push that bill through rather than wait till next Spring to have a rally?

Lobbying?

Inundate with letters, to who?

Email to who?

I am sure the power of this forum can make things happen a lot quicker than 6 years-too many patients can be harmed with the extremely high ratios found in NY hospitals during another 6 years. Too many nurses' licenses are in jeopardy waiting that long. This has got to happen a lot faster and Nurses all over the country can help. Also, joining forces with NYSA to make this happen would add strength to the union concept of protecting Nurses-you might just find employment-at-will states buckling if both unions stop bumping heads and unite for all Nurse's protection.

[1199SEIU RN]

In fact, most every union that represents nurses in New York State, including NYSNA, were united on this OT bill.

In NY, the current legislative session will end on June 23rd, and re-open officially in January, at which time the safe staffing bill will be re-introduced. I hope we will all continue to work in coalition on our common issues, as we have been able to do for several years now. Work behind the scenes will start much sooner, includingraising nurses awareness of the staffing bill.

But the first thing to do right now--on the basis of positive reinforcement-- is to write to your legislators and thank them for supporting the bill to restrict mandatory overtime. The next priority will be safe staffing, but we need them to pass this bill as promised first. (They will.)

[kcochrane]

Originally Posted by RNKittyKat

It is a victory but without a ratio law, they can make you work short. They're going to find any way they can to save $$. I hope it won't take long to get that ratio law passed. That would be sweet.

They do that now. A few months back the county decided they needed to save money. So now we can work -2 on the day shift before they will bring in agency or mandate. It is a rare that we are fully staffed. Now they are looking at the night shift to see if they can justify only having one LPN on our unit. Someone needs their head examined at my facility.

Although I agree we need a ratio law...I'll take no mandation right now. I prefer not to have to work another 8 hours after working 8 hours short.