PEF leads demonstration to protect patients, RNs
Nurses' Station: PEF acts to protect nurses
PEF RNs deliver quality care at Elmira PC
Annual lobbying pays off for PEF nurses

By DEBORAH A. MILES
After traveling across the state and rallying on the steps of the state Capitol in Albany, PEF nurses got a second wind and met with state legislators on May 5th.

Armed with bright yellow PEF stethoscopes, pens, bumper stickers and literature, groups of nurses made their way to the Legislative Office Building to leave their calling cards with their lawmakers and explain the issues of ending mandatory overtime and short staffing.

“It's effective to meet with lawmakers face to face,” said June Edwards, co-chair of PEF's Statewide Nurses Committee. “It's all about nurse power and letting legislators know the health care system will crumble without nurses.”

Along with co-chair, Debbie Egel, and a dozen other nurses, Edwards met with Assembly Member Susan John and other legislators.

NURSES’ REMINDER — PEF RNs Diane Zemla and Tom Condello of Division 283 present a T-shirt to Assembly Member Susan John as a reminder of their legislative priorities. — Photo by Deborah A. Miles

Critical care effects all
“She was very pro-health care, understanding of nursing issues and sympathetic to the nursing crisis and all the problems we are facing,” Edwards said of John.

Many legislators, according to Edwards, seem to be more aware of the vital role nurses play in health care. The dozens of PEF nurses who lobbied legislators asked them how they might react if they were hospitalized and the nurse assigned to them had been working a double shift.

“No one wants to be taken care of — especially in a critical medical situation — when the caregiver is physically and mentally exhausted,” she said.

When Edwards met with Assembly Member Anthony Seminerio, he requested charts and numbers to verify the nurses’ mandatory overtime concerns.

“Even though he didn’t want to deal with abstracts, the meeting was productive,” Edwards said. “We raised the issues we wanted heard and left with a handshake.”

Legislators respond positively
“This past year, we could see a positive difference by the way legislators responded to us,” said PEF Region 5 Coordinator Mary Twitchell. “In the beginning, they weren’t that receptive. Legislators didn’t understand what PEF is — what we can do for them and what they can do for us.”

She said PEF has developed a productive relationship with many lawmakers over the years, making a positive difference for the union. “I credit that to the membership,” she said.

“When you personally meet with someone, your message has more passion and sincerity,” she added. “Our nurses did a remarkable job relaying their concerns, not only for themselves but for the patients they tend to.”

SUPPORTING THE CAUSE — Division 208 Council Leader Sue Winterstein thanks Assemblymember Robert Warner for his support of nursing issues at the Assembly Chamber on Nurses Lobby Day. — Photo by Katrina Howard

Memorable moment
An unexpected and memorable moment on Nurses Lobby Day came when Assemblymembers Robert Warner and Clifford Crouch recognized a group of PEF nurses on the floor of the Assembly.

“I think that was a big thrill for our nurses,” Twitchell said.

“It was a commemorative event,” added Kate Gregory, a Division 208 steward at SUNY Binghamton and Region 5 Nurses Committee chair. “It was truly an exciting moment for all of the Region 5 nurses to be able to see the actual Assembly Chamber as well as being recognized, not once, but twice.”

Twitchell said lobbying was a positive experience and it gave an increasing number of lawmakers a better insight into the nursing crisis and the need to change laws to improve the entire health care system.

COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE
Inside This Issue:
Features
PEF pushes to plug corporate tax loopholes
Members fight proposal to merge NYSPI
PEF leads demonstration to protect patients, RNs
Annual lobbying pays off for PEF nurses
Union gets preliminary injunction

Departments
President's Message: PEF is major player
You Said It: Member's letters this month
Member Mobilization: Training with rallies
Nurses' Station: PEF acts to protect nurses
Legislative Update: PEF gets record restorations
Health Benefits: Empire Plan Update
Legal Issues: Members win grievance at DOL
PS&T Contract Update: Talks continuing
Member Highlights
Retirees In Action: Huge health hikes threaten
PEF Membership Benefits Program & Travel Corp

Union Matters
PEF RNs deliver quality care at Elmira PC
Full mobilization creates union power in Reg. 5
PEF wins Article 78
Members bring Benson team back for 3rd term
PEF Election Guide: Download Supplement

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