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NJSNA
letter to its members
November 19, 2004
Dear Fellow New Jersey Nurse,
In the last week you probably received a mailing from a group
called the
National Nurses’ Organizing Committee (NNOC).
The Board of
Directors of the New Jersey State Nurses’ Association is
concerned about this mailing and wants to help clarify some
important points stated in the NNOC’s brochure. We urge you to
share our message with as many other nurses as you can.
The most important tool in making a difference in the workplace
is influence, especially political influence. In New Jersey
NJSNA is well respected by both political parties and has a
history of success in getting legislation passed that is in the
interest of nurses – yes nurses at the hospital bedside as well
as those in other practice arenas. Recent successes include the
mandatory overtime bill, whistleblower protection, safe needle
legislation and many more.
NJSNA has a long history of working to assist nurses with issues
of impaired practice and legislation to fund the Recovery &
Monitoring Program of NJ is one of the pro nursing bills
progressing through the legislative process because of NJSNA’s
work.
The governor’s office and the Department of Health under
numerous
administrations have sought the advice and participation of
NJSNA on many issues, committees and task forces.
NNOC does NOT have that kind of influence in NJ.
They do not have that
kind of influence nationally either. Indeed their literature
would indicate that they are unaware of what has been
accomplished in NJ.
One of NJSNA’s strengths is the alliances it has built with
other nursing and healthcare organizations in the state. We host
meetings of nursing
organizations twice every year and have worked with the school
nurses, home care nurses and nurse anesthetists as well as
bedside nurses and others to help them address their concerns in
the legislative and regulatory arenas.
We believe dialogue with other nursing groups is essential for
the successful resolution of nursing issues and are concerned
about any organization that has a narrow focus and perspective.
The tactics of the
California Nurses’Association, the parent organization of NNOC,
have raised many concerns in nursing circles. They have raided
established nursing unions, used questionable tactics to take
control of the state nurses’ association in Massachusetts, and
were defeated in court in Hawaii.
NJSNA does not do collective bargaining, so those nurses
who see unionizing as the way to resolve their workplace issues
are referred to the New York State Nurses’ Association.
NYSNA has a long
history of successfully achieving contracts that meet the needs
of their membership. As part of this agreement, NJSNA retains
the legislative and regulatory agenda and provides education and
peer support for the New Jersey NYSNA members.
Don’t let a teaser dues rate of $30 fool you. NNOC is looking
to organize all nurses in NJ into a narrowly focused union that
does not have the history, influence and savvy of either the ANA
or NJSNA.
There is no way this
organization can accomplish what your professional
organizations, ANA & NJSNA, have and will continue to accomplish
for you. To learn more about ANA & NJSNA go to the following
websites: nursingworld.org and njsna.org.
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Linda Parry Carney RN, President
Board of Directors of NJSNA
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