News

Carrying the message about a threat to worker rights

On Jan. 6, union members attempted to deliver more than 100,000 petition signatures to the Center for Individual Rights in Washington, D.C., which is behind the Friedrichs lawsuit.

Former OFNHP President Retires

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Kathy Schmidt, critical care float nurse at Sunnyside Medical Center retired on Wednesday, December 30th. Kathy served as OFNHP President from 1981-2001.

Connecticut technical professionals recommit to the union

Surgical and radiologic technologists, licensed practical nurses and
respiratory therapists at Danbury and New Milford hospitals in Connecticut
are sticking to the union after fending off a decertification effort.

Building Worksite Strength

OFNHP is gearing up for a big year in 2016 focused on building strength in our worksites to so that we have the power to improve our lives at work and protect our patients.

Here are three steps we're taking right now to strengthen our union:

New Internal Organizer Assignments: We're taking a team approach to supporting stewards and activists in the workplace. The new Inpatient and Outpatient teams will work together with stewards in their areas to coordinate our efforts strategically and support members effectively across the region. Click here to review our updated Internal Organizer

Tamie Tlustos-Arnold, RN

Experience
• Registered nurse with over 17 years of experience
• Began working for Kaiser in January of 2012
• Pediatric Case Manager at Rockwood working with Obese & Overweight patients and families
• UBT Co-Lead for Complex Conditions Case Management Team
• Healthy Workforce Committee member at Rockwood
• Elected official for the City of Fairview 2012-2014
• Vice President of the West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce
• City of Fairview Economic Development & Advisory Committee Member
• City of Fairview Budget Committee Member
• 2014 Finalist for the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Award
• Enrolled

Grievance Victory at Sunnyside

RNs at Sunnyside hospital scored a big win in January in protecting RN bargaining unit work. Members in three impacted units at SMC will share in a $300,000 settlement reached to satisfy a grievance filed last May after learning that management had hired travelers to work without notifying the union in MSICU, MSPCU, and the Critical Care float pool.

First Total Health Payout Coming Soon

In December, union members in our NW region reached the Total Health Assessment goal that our Coalition of Unions bargained in the last round of negotiations. Total Health is an important part of our strategy to protect our fully paid health care benefits. To achieve the $150 incentive payout, 75% of union members needed to participate in the Total Health Assessment by the end of the year. By December, we reached 81%. That means each OFNHP member will receive a $150 payout on their checks no later than February 28th.

OFNHP's 2015 Contract Campaign Summit

Register now!

The Contract Campaign Summit will bring together OFNHP member leaders for a training and planning session to ensure the OFNHP Bargaining Councils and Contract Action Teams are ready for bargaining and the contract campaign ahead.

Topics covered:
- Overview of the contract campaign from January through June (or through local bargaining)
- How the campaign structure works and how your role in it matters
- How to talk to coworkers about bargaining and how to handle difficult questions
- Identifying common issues for all bargaining units to prepare for local bargaining
- Highlight