NEW YORK NURSE: January/February 2010
NYSNA has won a back-pay settlement award of more than $6,000 for five members employed by Nistel, Inc., at Benedictine and Kingston hospitals. The back-pay settlement award was a result of the employer’s unilateral change to its on-call policy.
“Our union, NYSNA, filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board when our on-call policy was changed without our receiving any notice,” said Nistel RN Julia Motti. “With our union supporting us, we were able to send a clear message that we will stand against any changes that violate our rights!”
Nistel is a for-profit “leasing” company, employing registered nurses who work at Kingston Health Alliance facilities.
In addition to the back pay settlement award, NYSNA won the rescinding of an unjust discipline against a member. This was a critical step, because the affected member was an active participant in the nurses’ union organizing drive and continues to be active today. It sends a message to all other NYSNA members that union activity is protected under the law.
“Now, with the successful resolution of these charges, we look for significant progress in negotiations and the securing of a first contract for our members employed by Nistel, Inc.,” said Tom Darby, NYSNA labor relations representative.
NYSNA filed charges during the summer alleging that Nistel violated federal labor law by changing the nurses’ on-call policy without bargaining with the association and by unjustly disciplining an RN because of her legally protected activities on behalf of the Nurses Association.
Lorraine Seidel, NYSNA Economic and General Welfare director, said “NYSNA is proud of the RNs of Nistel, Inc. for choosing to be ‘players,’ not ‘bystanders,’ by stepping up and not allowing their rights to be violated.