In the immediate days following the earthquake disaster that struck Haiti, SEIU began to establish relief assistance and efforts. SEIU partnered with two organizations in their relief efforts, Partners in Health (PIH) and International Medical Corps (IMC). SEIU also partnered with well established relief organizations to accept financial donations.
Locally, there were inquires as to what an individuals within NAGE could do to support the people of Haiti. The local referred our members to the SEIU website for additional information. The response was tremendous, both in terms of individuals willing to be deployed, if needed, and financial donations.
SEIU Nurse Alliance worked closely with President Cipriaso throughout the weekend of January 16 -18 to coordinate possible deployments. On Tuesday, January 19, President Cipriaso spoke with VAMHCS Director about the possibility of obtaining some official release time for 2 or 3 RNs and, if authorized absence could not be approved, than to be supportive of permitting these RNs to use their annual leave which the individuals were willing to do so. The VAMHCS Director deferred the decision to Nursing.
Nursing seemed unwilling or unable to support this world wide relief effort. They would only grant one individual annual leave, although we were unofficially advised the units could be covered if others were granted leave for a couple of weeks. NAGE can only hope the decision was made in good faith. Unfortunately, the Local asserts this decision is reflective of much larger issue of internal labor relations.
NAGE member Simone Adelugba, RN (Baltimore MICU) was voluntarily deployed last week to Haiti. Originally from Haiti, NAGE/SEIU member Simone Adelugba is a registered nurse in the Critical Care Unit (MICU) at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Hospital. She's volunteered to travel to Haiti to assist with disaster relief efforts in the wake of the earthquake, joining other health care professionals from the SEIU union already on the ground. Right now, dozens of SEIU members are already in Port-au-Prince providing medical care and translation services for survivors and more are set to go each week.
SEIU has created an online card where you can share your thoughts and prayers for those traveling to Haiti (like Simone). Please visit the SEIU Nurse Alliance website.
NAGE Local R 3-19 is extremely proud and honored by willingness of our many members to offer assistance under such austere conditions.
NAGE is a SEIU affiliate.

New OSHA Videos Feature Guidance on Respirators
01/14/2010

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed two new videos for healthcare workers that feature training and guidance on respirator safety.

OSHA's "Respirator Safety" video demonstrates how to correctly put on and take off common types of respirators, such as N95s. "The Difference between Respirators and Surgical Masks" video explains how they prevent exposure to infectious diseases.

"Respirators play an important role in protecting many workers from exposure to chemical and biological hazards in the workplace," says Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels. "At a time when pandemic influenza has highlighted the risk to healthcare workers, these videos will prepare and protect workers from the very illnesses they are responsible for treating."

The videos also explain how workers can perform a user seal check to test whether a respirator is worn properly and will provide the expected level of protection. Viewers may watch both English and Spanish versions by visiting OSHA's Respiratory Protection page or the Department of Labor's YouTube site.

According to OSHA's respiratory protection standard 29 CFR 1910.134, respirators must be used as part of a comprehensive respiratory protection plan.

In continuing our commitment to helping members and their families achieve their educational goals and dreams, NAGE is proud to announce the 7th Annual NAGE Scholarships program. Each year, fifty scholarships in the amount of $500 each are awarded in a lottery. Applicants for the lottery drawing scholarships must be planning to attend or already attending a two- or four-year college, trade or technical school to be eligible. Scholarships are available to members of NAGE, IBPO, IBCO, and IAEP, and the member's spouse, child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or significant other. The application, which is available by clicking the link below, takes about 3 minutes to complete.

http://www.NAGE.org/federal/scholarships.shtml

NAGE attorney Sarah E. Suszczyk reached a settlement agreement with the VAMHCS the day before the case was scheduled to be heard by an arbitrator. On behalf of NAGE Local R 3-19 at the VA Maryland Health Care System, Ms Suszczyk was successful in reversal of an unjust suspension decision and the VA has agreed to restore all lost pay and benefits, and completely purged all suspension references from the member’s personnel record.

The member expressed sincere gratitude for all the support and efforts provide by the Local and NAGE attorney during this year long ordeal. The employee commented “without NAGE, the suspension would be in my file forever”.

NAGE Local R 3-19 believes the case stems from local Management’s misinterpretation of the VA regulations. The VAMHCS misinterpretation and subsequent action may have negatively impacted other members. Local President, Evelyn Cipriaso, will be addressing NAGE ‘s concerns through the Human Resource service for complete resolution of this.

It is with great sadness that NAGE write to inform you about the passing of Lt. Col. Juanita Warman, a dedicated employee at the Perry Point VA Medical Center. Ms. Warman was one of the victims of the recent tragedy at Fort Hood.

Ms. Warman was a brave American who voluntarily served in the U.S. Army Reserve to protect and defend the freedom and liberties we cherish in this great Nation. Her selfless sense of commitment extended to her career with the VA Maryland Health Care System, where she gave generously to support returning service men and women as they reintegrated back into their local communities.

A nurse practitioner, Ms. Warman took great pride in her work serving Veterans as part of the Returning Veterans Outreach Education & Care Program. She was a tireless employee who was instrumental in creating a Cognitive Processing Group for Veterans.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to her family and friends.

Lt.Col Warman we salute you

The N-95 mask or PAPR hood is SINGLE USE ONLY when being used for flu protection. There is no way to decontaminate the face plate that is why it must be discarded.

Multiple use for TB precautions remains the standard but SINGLE USE ONLY for flu precautions because: Flu is delivered on large droplets that fall after leaving the body and can be carried in any nasal or upper respiratory secretions. When these contaminate items in the environment, the flu “bug” is easily picked up on hands, etc. and just needs to be in contact with another’s mucous membrane to attach itself and cause infection. The Flu virus DOES NOT need to reach the smallest areas of the lung to cause infection. In order for the TB organism to cause infection it needs to be aerosolized on a tiny mist droplet or tiny dust particle that can be inhaled and get past the mucous membranes, without being caught up in the mucus, and land in the small alveoli (sacs) at the of the bronchioles.

NAGE Local R3-19 continues to be active at this site and serving its members. NAGE currently have members at the Home Base Program, BRECC/CLC (Rehabilitation, subacute, geriatric and Hospice) and the CBOC/outpatient services. Our members work day by day to provide a top service to our veterans. Our members’ role and responsibilities varies from the traditional nursing to a complex nursing practice. NAGE is aware of these needs, that is why NAGE participate in the monthly staff meeting at the CBOC, participate at the BRECC nursing meeting when schedule. Issues as availability parking space for patients and staff remain a great deal of concerns to NAGE member at this site. There is heavy equipment working behind the main CBOC clinic to allocate a pave parking area for employees. When completed this parking area will have 44 and 3 handicap spaces. This construction should be completed around mid-December. The new research building will take out some space currently used for parking. Construction for this building will start on mid-November. If everything goes as plan the total space for parking available after construction will be 94 in total. There will be a schedule staff meeting scheduled for November 19, 2009 with Mr. Armagon, Site Manager, and Loch Raven Campus in which the members should have an opportunity to address their concerns.

Members at the Hospice unit voiced their concerns about the management effort to have people certify in this area. Currently management hired 1 RN with certification in hospice and planning to hire 2 more nurses for this area. NAGE members at hospice area welcome the idea to have these specialty nurses but it is unclear how these new nurses will be utilized and builds a working relationship with those not certified in this area. Concerns about rotation outside the hospice area as well as rotation to other shift, NAGE members working at this area have served the veterans for years and wanting management to assist/ work with them to obtain certification and to consider knowledge acquired from year of practice and seniority when make internal decisions.

As of September 23, 2009 here is what the United States and Territories had reported for the H1N1 “swine flu” activity. As health care workers we are on the front lines and need to protect ourselves. Protecting ourselves is best done with knowledge including vaccines, personal protective equipment, transmission based precautions and accurate information.

The VA reports both inpatient and outpatient case and the numbers break down as follows:
Outpatient: Suspected 924
Probable/Confirmed 282
Inpatient: Suspected 311
Confirmed 77 of the 77 confirmed cases it is noted that secondary lower respiratory infections were also present.
Deaths: 2
There a currently 5 companies manufacturing the vaccine they include Sanofi Pasteur, Novartis, CSL, Medimmune, and GLaxo Smith Kline (the last is not currently FDA approved). They expect to produce 200-250 million doses.
The Vaccine is supplied in multidose vials with 10 doses per vial and should be refrigerated. The Vaccine also comes with a kit which provides needles, syringes, solution for reconstitution, alcohol pads and vaccination cards.
The initial doses of the vaccine have been shipped and it is expected that eventually there will be enough vaccine for everyone who would like to be vaccinated. Currently the VA is prioritizing eligibility. The priority list is as follows
A) Healthcare workers and emergency medical service personnel expected to have direct patient contact/contact with infectious material.
B) Pregnant women
C) Care givers and contacts of infants of 6 months or less
D) Adolescents with medical conditions that increase their risk for flu-related complications
Risk factors thought to increase risk of flu/ flu complications include
A) Younger age <65 years
B) Pregnancy
C) Pre-existing illness: Asthma, Metabolic Disease
D) Obesity
The nasal spray is a live attenuated version and should not be used in the cases of pregnancy and those individuals with pre-existing conditions/immunosuppressive states. These individuals should receive the inactive version (shot).
Documentation of the vaccine is done via CPRS for both employees and patients. There are training resources available to assist in learning this new documentation. The VA intranet site address is vaww.vistau.med.va.gov and LMS will have training available by January 2011.
As with all medications/ vaccines there are some adverse events and contraindications:
A) Sensitivity/allergy to eggs
B) Pain at injection sight
C) Swelling at injection sight
D) With nasal dose there is a risk of getting the flu
E) Only approved for people ages 2-49 years of age
F) History of SEVERE asthma and bronchospasm
G) Do not use antiviral medications 48 hours prior to and 14 days post vaccine
H) Do not give live vaccines within 2 weeks of any other live vaccines. There is not contraindication to giving the inactive vaccines together but separate the injection sites.
Vaccination is only one of the ways we as direct care providers utilize to protect ourselves. We need to be familiar with the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and transmission based precautions utilized when caring for patients with suspected/confirmed nH1N1. The current standard for PPE include the N-95 respirator and STANDARD based precautions (previously pt’s were placed on contact precautions). Recently, a JAMA article addressed the question of the surgical mask being as effective as the respirator (N95) the CURRENT standard remains the respirator and employees MUST use this here at the VAMHCS.
The CDC on 10/13/2009 issued new guidelines that emphasize the importance of vaccination and respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette as facility control measures. They also discussed minimizing outpatient visits and minimizing visitors as feasible. The CDC recommended engineering controls such as partitions in triage areas, excluding sick workers, isolation for hospitalized patients for at least 7 days (doesn’t mean keeping them in the hospital for that length of time), and precautions for transporting sick patients. It is expected that OSHA will follow these recommendations within a few weeks to keep hospitals current.
The recommendations will continue to change as we learn more about the virus and how it behaves. One recommendation which remains a constant is hand hygiene. Always remember to wash your hands before and after any patient exposure. If you have flu like symptoms and a fever get yourself checked! Keep yourself informed and you will increase your chances to stay healthy.

This is information from Mr. Lechner, Esquire. Mr Lechner is lead counsel for the plaintiffs in a class action suit against the VA. Please goes to the website www.vabackpay.com for specific details and to file a claim.

__________________________________________________________________________

If you are or were a RN, Nurse Anesthetist, or PA at the VA anytime from September 5, 1995 until now, and you have regularly worked on Saturday, it is now time for you to file your claim form directly online at www.vabackpay.com to recover back pay and interest for the VA's failure to pay you Saturday premium pay of 25% whenever you went on paid leave and did not work your Saturday shifts.
I have been appointed as Class Counsel in this case, as you know, and I have estimated that RNs who worked regular Saturday shifts during this period of time whether every week or every other week may be eligible for back pay and interest of up to $10,000 depending on the number of hours you worked regularly on Saturday, your pay and grade, and the number of hours you took as paid leave on the Saturdays that you normally would have worked your regular schedule. This is my estimate, not the VA's or the court's. The Judge has already decided that the VA violated the law, but he will have to figure out how to compute the back pay and interest owed to each person who files a claim on time. The VA owes you 25% Saturday pay for Saturdays on which you took paid leave from September 5, 1995 until now, and the same is true for Sundays from September 5, 1995 to September 30, 1997.

Please go to the website as soon as possible and file your claim safely and securely online at www.vabackpay.com as the earlier you file your claim, the earlier you can receive your money.Please pass this on to your friends so that no-one who is eligible will fail to file before the deadline of February 9, 2010.

If you are or were a specialized health care worker at the VA such as Pharmacist, LVN, LPN, therapist, etc., this case also applies to you also as you must file your claim to recover back pay and interest for the VA's failure to pay you night premium pay of 10% and Saturday pay of 25% whenever you took paid leave if you were regularly scheduled anytime during the last 15 years to work after 6pm and before 6 am and/or on Saturdays (and Sundays from 1995 to 1997). Go to www.vabackpay.com as soon as you can to file your claim directly online in a safe and secure manner. This is my estimate, not the VA's or the court's. The Judge has already decided that the VA violated the law, but he will have to figure out how to compute the back pay and interest owed to each person who files a claim on time. Please go to www.vabackpay.com where it is all explained and you can file your claim directly online in less than 5 minutes. Thank you.

I (Ira Lechner) am Class counsel in this case as you know, and I estimate that you may be eligible to recover thousands of dollars in back pay and interest depending on the number of hours you worked regularly on Saturday (and after 6pm and before 6am at anytime during the week), your pay and grade, and the number of hours you took as paid leave on the shifts that you would have worked after 6pm and on the Saturdays that you normally would have worked your regular schedule. The same is true for Sundays from September 5, 1995 to September 30, 1997. Please pass this on to your friends

Metropolitan Baltimore Council AFL-CIO Unions
Ernie Grecco, President

UC Berkeley Study: Research Shows Unions Have a Positive Impact on Family-Friendly Workplace Policies
As Congress prepares to debate the Employee Free Choice Act, report finds that families benefit from unionization.

Berkeley, CA – Unions have a positive impact on family-friendly workplace policies like paid family leave, paid sick days, family health insurance, and child-care benefits, according to a new report released today by the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education and the Labor Project for Working Families.

"As more Americans are struggling to raise and care for their families at the same time they're holding down a job, workplace policies that facilitate a work-family balance are becoming increasingly important. We looked at whether unions make a difference for these families, and it turns out that unionization has a positive impact on key family-friendly policies like family health insurance, paid family leave, and child-care benefits," said Jenifer MacGillvary of the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education, a co-author of the new report, Family-Friendly Workplaces: Do Unions Make a Difference?

According to the UC Berkeley report, evidence from the research literature on family-friendly workplaces suggests:

*Unionization promotes compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act. Unionized employees are more likely to have heard of the Family and Medical Leave Act, have fewer worries about taking leave, and are more likely to receive fully paid and partially paid leaves.

*Comparing hourly workers who take family and medical leave, 46 percent of unionized workers compared to 29 percent of nonunionized workers receive full pay while on leave.

*Unionized workers are 1.3 times as likely as nonunionized workers to be allowed to use their own sick time to care for a sick child, and they are 50 percent more likely than nonunionized workers to have paid personal leave that can be used to care for sick children.

*Companies with 30 percent or more unionized workers are five times as likely as companies with no unionized workers to pay the entire family health insurance premium. Even when unionized employees are required to pay part of their family insurance premium, they pay a much lower share of the premium than nonunionized workers do.

Family-friendly workplace policies are more important than ever before because more families are jugging work and care-giving responsibilities. For example, nearly 25 percent of U.S. households provide care to people aged 50 or older; and 75 percent of children live in families where all parents work.

"As Congress prepares to debate the Employee Free Choice Act in coming months, policy makers should understand that unions have helped improve workplace policies for thousands of working families and could do the same things for millions of families if EFCA becomes the law of the land," said report co-author Netsy Firestein, executive director of the nonprofit Labor Project For Working Families.

To download "Family-Friendly Workplaces: Do Unions Make a Difference?" go to http://laborcenter.berkeley.edu or http://www.working-families.org

PROTECT YOURSELF: THE FACTS ABOUT THE N-95 RESPIRATOR

With the presence of the H1N1 (swine flu) respirators are on the minds of health care workers. As direct care providers, Nurses in the VAMHCS are required to wear NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) approved respirators to protect against communicable diseases spread via respiratory route (TB, SARS, and other infectious diseases requiring airborne precautions.) Workers who are required to wear NIOSH approved respirators must participate in the entire respiratory protection program. This includes medical surveillance, fit testing of negative pressure face masks, and training.

Medical surveillance includes filling out the medical questionnaire which can be found on the VAMHCS home page and bringing it to employee health for clearance to be FIT tested. Once cleared, you can contact Alan East Industrial Hygienist to set up a time to be FIT tested.

FIT testing is ESSENTIAL to ensure maximum safety. During the initial FIT test the wearer shall receive instructions including demonstrations and practice in how the respirator should be worn, how to adjust it, and how to determine if it fits properly. You must be formally fit tested at least annually or if there is a significant change in your physical condition. If unable to wear a respirator or achieve proper fit employees are to be provided a powered air-purifying respirator and the respirator (PAPR) in lieu of any negative pressure respirator, and the respirator will provide adequate protection to employees. Negative air purifying respirators shall NOT be worn when conditions prevent a good face seal (i.e. due to beards or sideburns). SPD has disposable hoods available if you must use a PAPR. Each unit should have the respirator (air pack and hose) available for individuals unable to be FIT tested.

During your annual FIT test you will be given information regarding the type and size if the N-95 respirator/mask. You will be given this mask for personal use. You should store this mask in a plastic bag keeping it free from losing shape. Masks are multi-use but should be discarded if damaged, soiled, or deformed. Replacement masks are available from SPD but you must make sure the replacement is the same type and size you were FIT tested for. Prior to each use of the N95 respirator the user should inspect the respirator for damage, check to ensure the respirator is the correct size and type they were tested for and perform a FIT check. A FIT check is done by putting on the mask and pressing the nose piece firmly down with both hands (don’t pinch with one hand) on the nose piece and then blow out (while your hands are off the mask just above the upper nose seal) if you don’t feel any air movement you have an adequate seal (This mask you are using has already been officially fit tested for size and type.) and can enter the respiratory isolation area.

A surgical face mask CANNOT replace a respirator. Respirators work by filtering 95% of particles (0.3microns size) prior to inhalation while surgical masks prevent the release of infectious aerosols. Placing a surgical mask on patients when it is medically necessary for them to leave the negative pressure room is acceptable for this reason Respirators are NOT for use with gases and vapors. Respirators filter PARTICLES not gases.

It is the responsibility of the VAMHCS to provide the program and equipment necessary but your RESPONSIBILITY to use it. If you are a direct care provider and have not been FIT tested DO IT NOW!!! Make your nurse manager aware of this situation and keep yourself safe!!

Test your knowledge with this informal quiz and KEEP YOURSELF SAFE!!!

1. N95 respirators provide protection against?

A. Infectious Tuberculosis

B. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

C. Infectious Diseases Requiring Airborne Precautions

D. All of the answers are true

2. N95 respirators are effective when used to protect against gases and vapors?

A. True

B. False

3. The difference between a N95 respirator and surgical mask is?

A. None, both the N95 respirator and surgical mask provide the same level of protection

B. The N95 respirator protects patient from gases and vapors.

C. The N95 respirator filters the air before it is inhaled by the wearer, while the surgical mask on the patient helps prevent the release of infectious aerosols

4. Prior to donning the N95 respirator the user should

A. Inspect the respirator for damage

B. Check to ensure the respirator is the same manufacturer and model that they were fit tested on

C. Be adequately trained on the proper use of the respirator

D. All of the answers are true

5. Once fit tested for a N95 respirator, the user can

A. Don any N95 respirator regardless of manufacturer and model

B. Don only the N95 respirator of the same manufacturer and model they were fit tested on

C. Don a N95 respirator as long as it is the same manufacturer

6. When must fit testing be performed?

A. Prior to initial use

B. Annually

C. When the user experiences significant changes in their physical conditions

D. All of the answers are true

7. The N95 respirator requires disposal when

A. It becomes soiled

B. It becomes deformed

C. It becomes damaged or contaminated

D. All of the answers are true

8. Always perform a user seal test every time the respirator is donned?

A. True

B. False

9. The N95 respirator has a filter efficiency level of 95% against particle 0.3 microns in size?

A. True

B. False

10. When storing the respirator, ensure the respirator is protected from:

A. Contamination and dust

B. Deformation

C. Excessive moisture

D. All of the answers are true

ANSWER KEY

1. D

2. B

3. C

4. D

5. B

6. D

7. D

8. A

9. A

10. D

Federal Sector Leaders Elected to National Executive Board, Appointed to Audit Committee

June 12, 2009

Federal sector leaders Evelyn Cipriaso and Dale Dandrea Dale Dandrea and Evelyn Cipriaso were elected to serve on the NAGE National Executive Board. Both individuals were nominated by National President David J. Holway and were elected by unanimous vote at the meeting of the full Board on June 5, 2009. President Holway also appointed Local R1-134 president Patrick Lavery to serve as an auditor.

Cipriaso is the president of Local R3-19, which represents all non-supervisory RNs within the VA Maryland Health Care System, including Baltimore, Perry Point, BRECC, and the community-based outpatient clinics through the state of Maryland.

Dandrea is the president of Local R1-144, the Federal Union of Scientists and Engineers. FUSE represents 1,800 non-supervisory, professional, civil service employees at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center—Division Newport, RI. Members include scientists, engineers, mathematicians, patent attorneys, and accountants.

"I am very pleased that Evelyn and Dale accepted their nominations and agreed to serve on the National Executive Board," said President Holway. "They are proven leaders with very strong and proven histories representing members at both the local and the national level. We are fortunate to add these dedicated and talented leaders to the board."

Cipriaso and Dandrea are no strangers to the workings of the National Executive Board; Cipriaso was a member of the Federal Sector Advisory Committee, and Dandrea was formerly a member of the Audit Committee.

The LOCAL CHAPTER congratulates Evelyn on her appointment to the National Executive Board.

Last week, Reps. John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) laid the first steps toward the Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act (H.R. 2381). Direct care nurses have a higher rate of injury than laborers, movers and truck drivers from repositioning, moving and lifting patients, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This legislation will require that healthcare facilities provide safe patient handling using mechanical lifts and develop injury prevention plans for healthcare workers who move patients.
Although the VHA is on the leading edge of implementing safe patient handling equipment, NAGE Local R 3-19 encourages the passage of this legislation. We believe no Nurse should be subject to injury while performing their duties. An Injury to One is an Injury to All.

Part-Time Veterans Affairs Nurses and Other Medical Employees May Be Entitled to Recalculation of Pension according to Stember Feinstein Doyle & Payne and Timothy P. O’Brien
Pittsburgh – The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) recently ruled that a group of 159 nurses who worked part-time for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) were entitled full-time pension benefits. Many other nurses and other part-time VA medical personnel (physician assistants or expanded-function dental auxiliaries) may also be eligible for recalculation of benefits, according to Stember Feinstein Doyle & Payne, LLC (SFD&P) and Attorney Timothy P. O’Brien.
Part-time VA nurses hired in the 1950s and beyond were guaranteed full-time pensions in exchange for promising to be available day and night and agreeing not to work anywhere else. In 1986, Congress passed a law designed to exclude part-time VA doctors from receiving full-time pension credit for service that included part-time work, but wound up also excluding part-time VA nurses and other VA medical staff.
Beginning in 1989, retired VA nurse Mary Ann Mackin of Pittsburgh began a 20-year campaign for her full-time pension benefits. She sent letters and made calls to Congress and VA officials. In 2001, Congress passed legislation to provide retroactive benefits to part-time VA nurses and other medical staff. But the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) refused to apply the new law to part-time VA nurses who had retired prior to the law’s January 2002 enactment date.
In 2007, SFD&P and O’Brien filed claims with OPM on behalf of Mackin and 158 other VA nurses from around the country. They argued that the new law should apply to VA nurses who retired before January 2002. A Merit Service Protection Board Administrative Judge agreed, ordering that their pension benefits be recalculated. This ruling was upheld by the full MSPB. Some of the nurses will receive retroactive benefits in excess of $100,000.
Mackin’s attorneys believe that many other VA nurses and staff may be able to get their pensions recalculated back to the date of retirement. If you worked as a part-time VA nurse, physicians’ assistant, or expanded-function dental auxiliary, and retired between April 1986 and January 2002, you may be eligible for additional pension benefits. For more information, please contact Attorney Jonathan Cohn at (412) 281-8400 or by email at info@stemberfeinstein.com.

NAGE, Local R 3-19, encourages you to contact any retiree who worked part time for the VA and retired between April 1986 and January 2002

February, 2010

As the New Year started, Americans are hopeful that it will be a better year economically and reverse the recession we encountered last year. Only Mother Nature knew that another devastation will affect us once more. The earthquake that hit Haiti and the loss of many lives deeply affected many Americans. Although it did not happen in this country, almost everyone are willing to help and support the Haitian people. Our own nurses went on a compassionate and helping mode and many started volunteering to be deployed. Many were willing to give uptheir own time for humanitarian reasons. NAGE together with SEIU Nurse Alliance per a special request from the White House started coordinating with the International Medical Corp and Partners in Health in deploying nurses to Haiti. Our effort was met with resistance and non support of the VAMHCS management. It was so disheartening and I don’t have enough words to express my disappointment with the employer we work for. NAGE with the support of our dedicated members will continue to support and uphold our compassionate and humanitarian nature no matter what adversity hinders us.

Evelyn

Wow – I just saw a position announcement for an in house position that I and many others would love to have……  However, wait before you spend hours updating that resume and submit your paperwork to be considered.   Wow, sources close to the top tell US that “they” already have someone in mind;   AND guess what?  That information has proven to be correct on every occasion, especially for the Monday through Friday higher paid positions, high profile positions.