December, 2011 The year 2011 is almost over and with it are many unforgettable memories that some of us will probably still be reminded  for years to come. We experienced hurricane, earth quakes, high unemployment, homelessness, pay freeze, 2 threats of government shutdown , budget cuts and many more that affected each and everyone. In view of all those adversities our VAMHCS nurses remain strong , dedicated and continue to care for our nation’s Veterans. As we celebrate this coming Holidays, please remember some of our collegues who are deployed, sick and for those who had left us. Let’s welcome the “New Year” with hope and anticipation for a better and prosperous year.                                                             “ HAPPY HOLIDAYS”    Evelyn

NOVEMBER , 2011   On December 9, 2009, President Obama issued an Executive Order 13522, creating Labor-Management Forums to improve delivery of Government Services. The purpose of this Order is to establish a cooperative and productive form of Labor- Management relations throughout the executive branch. With this Order, a National Council on Federal Labor – Management Relations was established. The Council are composed of members appointed by the President. They are the Director of OPM , Deputy Director for Management and Budget, Chair of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, Deputy Secretary of the VA Human Resource and the National Federal Union Presidents. Our National President, David Holway is a member of this Council.  The National Council meets monthly and advises President Obama on matters involving labor-management relations to the extent permissible by the Law. The Council oversees and supports the creation of the Department or Agency – level Labor – Management forums and promoting partnership efforts between labor and management.  VISN 5 Management collaborated with the Unions within the VISN to form a forum . Henceforth the  creation of VISN 5 Labor-Management Forum was established. The forum is represented by  Management in the VISN Level and Local facilities and members of their Union partners such as  NAGE, AFGE, NNU and NFFE. The forum Charter was developed and finalized on November 9, 2011.  The forum will meet monthly starting in December, 2011 and for the next 30 months per  agreement in the Charter. The purpose of the VISN 5 forum is to make the commitment necessary  between Union and management to establish an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust while supporting the VISN 5 mission and goals. Additionally, the VISN 5 Forum is to design , implement and maintain within VISN 5 a cooperative , constructive working relationship between labor and management to share information, identify problems , propose solutions , measure outcomes and provide Labor – management guidance.  Furthermore, the LMF allows the Pre- decisional involvement of the Union in all workplace matters to the fullest extent practicable, with a  goal to jointly reach a resolution. The VISN 5 Forum will address a VISN – wide issues that affect all 3 facilities that impact the working conditions of the employees. The Local facilities are also mandated to form a local Labor- Management Forum so as to address the local issues. The overall goal of this forum is to deliver the highest quality service .     Evelyn

 October, 2011    A few years ago, VA implemented a new position called Clinical Nurse Leader . VAMHCS adopted    this new position and started hiring and sending selected staff for certification. However the functions    of a CNL was never clarified and nursing staff continuously question the presence of this added person    in the unit. Many times the CNL is being counted as a regular staff that their real job function is being    ignored. They are replacing the call outs in some units, staff on leave and the ever presence nursing    shortage . The other drawback the staff is encountering is the lack of knowledge of a CNL in the unit    that they are assigned. These problems are only a few, that when reported to management still     remain unresolved.       As of this year, there are over 100 CNL’s in different VA facilities all over the country. VACO ‘s goal     is to have 1,500 CNL by 2016. Each facility will have a CNL in every unit including the outpatient clinics     long term care , operating room and etc. Starting March, 2012, a scholarship program committee    will select 2 individuals in each VA facility to enter the CNL academic program. This process will    continue until 2016. A workgroup has been organized and the first meeting was held in New Orleans.    This workgroup consists of individuals from Office of Recruitment and Retention, Office of Nursing    Service ( VACO) and Labor Partners.  NAGE /SEIU Local 5000 is being represented in this workgroup.    The workgroup developed new criteria for application requirements, selection process, costs,    selection committee, placement obligation and timeline.        A Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL ) is a clinician that puts evidence based practice into action, collects and      evaluates patient outcomes, assesses , cohort risk and has the decision making authority to change      care plans when necessary. The CNL communicates directly to the other disciplinary group i.e.      physician, social worker , pharmacist, Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist. The role of      a CNL differs from the CNS in that the CNL provides leadership across all specialties at the       microsystem level while the CNS focus is specialty population at the macrosystem level.          Evelyn         

AUGUST, 2011  It seems that history is repeating itself or it must be me remembering the 90’s when we had  staffing crisis and recruitment and retention was the primary goal of Management. This time  around NAGE is more concern and alarm with this staffing shortage that is in the rise and  Management refuses to acknowledge it. Nursing staff across the VAMHCS are stretch to the  limit that is causing some nurses to work 5 to 6 days 12 hrs shift. When nurses are forced to work  beyond their regular scheduled shifts, to the point of physical and mental exhaustion, they are no  longer able to provide a competent and quality care. Nurses are caught in a dilemma, if you work  too much , you might be violating your code of ethics, putting patient at risk and putting yourself  at risk for legal action if untoward events occurs. If you refuse to work, management can charge  you with abandonment. It is sad to say, but Nurses are always the victim.  VAMHCS Management is aware of the poor staffing, lack of resources i.e. linens, supplies and even  snacks for the veterans. Maybe this is the outcome of the budget deficit? Whatever reason,  VAMHCS is not fulfilling their promise and mission to care for our Veterans. NAGE continues to  encourage our nurses to file the “ Assignment against Objection “ form.  There is a saying that” Beauty is in the Eye of the beholder” then “Quality of Care is in the Eye of a  “Veteran”.   Quality of care is compromised when there is a shortage of staffing which results in    low patient and nurse satisfaction.    Our nurses concerns and frustrations are not left unnoticed. Your local NAGE officials continue to    report it to the VAMHCS Senior Management and most recently reach out to our National President,    David Holway for help . President Holway discussed our concerns and issues to the VA Management    in the National Management and Labor Forum.       Evelyn

  JUNE 2011

   On December 9, 2010, President Obama issued a mandate to implement the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010. Although the Telework policy has been in place for many years, there were only very limited use of it in different government agencies. The Department of Veterans Affairs was one of those agencies that did not support the use of alternative workplace. In the past couple of years,when the blizzards and snowstorms paralyzed the operation of the government, the present administration started evaluating and henceforth the issuance of the Telework  Enhancement Act  of 2010.

    There are some changes made to the new Telework Policy.  Each employee will receive a Telework notification letter indicating one’s eligibility to telework.  Positions eligible for telework are those work activities that are portable and are conducive to supervisory oversight at the alternative worksite. Tasks and functions generally suited for telework include work related telephone task( triage nurses) , computer –oriented work ( programming, data entry, web page design, web-based training) , report and work paper writing, policy development and analysis , financial analysis and etc. that do not depend on employee being at a traditional worksite. On the other hand, the positions not generally eligible for telework are those work activities that require a daily face to face contact with clients, co-workers, supervisors or the general public that cannot be achieved via e-mail, telephone, fax machine or other electronic means, daily access to sensitive data and trainee and student position. The new Telework policy establishes a single document, VA form 0740 ( telework Agreement).  It also mandates a telework training for eligible employees and their supervisor. However it limits one’s eligibility if the employee has a disciplinary action with regards to AWOL and downloading of pornography using government computer.

 Finally, the policy indicates that the employee must have “ a Fully Successful or its equivalent “ rating in order to participate. These guidelines and changes are outlined in the VA Handbook 5011,Hours of Duty and Leave.

   Although the VAMHCS started distributing the Telework Notification Letter to the employees, NAGE National is still in negotiation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Labor Management Relations, for the fair and equitable implementation of  the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010.

      Evelyn

HAPPY NURSES' WEEK

MAY, 2011

There are times in our lives when we sit down and wonder where our lives will lead us.
Sometimes we get caught up in our jobs and we forget what we truly represent. We get so frustrated , aggravated ,pushed to the limits and so mentally and physically tired that we feel what is the use in being a Nurse. But then someone gives us a smile and say “thank you,
you are so special”.
Then all the despair and dissatisfaction disappear and replaced by the core values that each and every nurse represent: Human Dignity , Compassion , Dedication ,Stewardship, Leadership and Excellence.
VA nurses are ministering Angels who give a tender loving care , encouragement and hope to our country’s heroes. They are the Doctors guardian angel against forgetfulness and their right hand in making sure that our Veterans are receiving the best and quality care that they deserve.
It takes a special person to be "NURSE”…. For you have immense sympathy for mankind , undismayed by any bad experience that comes your way , and many times unappreciated.
To each and every VAMHCS Nurses, I wish you a “HAPPY NURSES WEEK”

Evelyn

MARCH 2011

The month of March started full of dilemma for the Federal workers whether the government will remain open or shutdown. First was the 2 years salary freeze, then the probability of shutdown that each one of us hears almost on daily basis.
“WHEN“ is this threat going to end??? Chaos and instability in other countries are occuring, our country is reacting to economic meltdown, our brothers and sisters in the Public sector are losing their bargaining rights and the VAMHCS got an order to freeze hiring.
NAGE is aware that besides freezing the hiring process, Nursing is over the limit allocated to the service. This means getting rid of the excess FTE which concerns NAGE. In the past few months, there is an increase of Adverse Disciplinary Action issued to the employees. NAGE believes that this action of management is one way of balancing the budget. Compressed Work Schedule is under attack, overtime is being scrutinized, Part time employees’ time is being limited and etc. that clearly indicates management will do anything at the expense of the employees. NAGE is wondering if management is concern at all about the quality of care that the veterans are receiving. Short staffing and floating are a daily occurrence. The work environment is unsafe, as evidenced of increase in Code Orange Call and job related injuries. Our nurses are getting restless and tired of being treated as a pawn for what; NAGE believes poor management.
We, as a Union, needs to be more united that ever, as the attacks towards our principles and beliefs continues.

Evelyn

JANUARY, 2011

We welcome the year 2011 with a blast of wintery cold weather and uncertainty of our career in the Federal Sector. Many of us are always looking forward to a New Year hoping that it will be a better one from the previous year.
This year started with a sad news for Federal employees. An Executive Order
was passed freezing the Federal Pay for 2 years. NAGE and other members of the Federal Workers Alliance issued a letter to the Congress urging them to reject the proposal. Our National President, David Holway issued a statement “ The Budget crisis we’re facing as a nation cannot and should not be solved on the backs of the people who are serving their country “
VAMHCS started the process of cutting back. Job recruitment are frozen, Overtime are being scrutinized, Part time employees hours are being limited and there are rumors that compressed tours will be eliminated. All these changes will tremendously affect the quality of care that our veterans expect.
NAGE is very concern with the impact on the working conditions of our bargaining unit members.
In addition to workforce cuts and 2 years salary freeze for the Federal employees, there are some proposal s to possible furloughs, move the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to a voucher system, shrink retirement benefits by using a high-five versus the high – three calculation, or eliminatingFERS and CSRS retirement altogether and reducing 200,000 of federal jobs. “FEDERAL EMPLOYEES are under ATTACK” . NAGE is watching closely as all these proposals are introduce in Congress. NAGE’s Legislative Attorney, Ed Elder, with the rest of his labor counterparts are responding accordingly.

Evelyn

NOVEMBER , 2010
On December 9, 2009, President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order # 13522 creating Labor Management Forums to improve delivery of Government Services. The stated purpose of the order “ is to establish a cooperative and productive form of Labor – Management relations throughout the Executive Branch.”

Furthermore, the order indicated that Federal employees and their union representatives are an essential source of frontline ideas and information about the realities of delivering government services to the American people. The main highlight of the Executive Order # 13522 is to allow the Union Partners for Pre-Decisional Involvement in all workplace matters to the fullest extent practical without regard to permissive or management rights status and expeditiously provide information. The Order also mandated that every government agency shall establish Department/Agency level labor Management Committees to help identify problems and propose solutions to better serve the public and agency missions. And finally, to evaluate and document changes in employee/ manager satisfaction and organizational performance.

As a result of the Executive Order, a National Council on Federal Labor- Management Relations was established and started meetings since the start of 2010. NAGE is being represented,by our National President, David Holway to this Council. This Council is responsible for advising President Obama on matters involving labor- management relations in the Executive branch. It also supports the creation of Department or Agency level labor-management forums and develop innovative ways to improve delivery of services and products to the American people while cutting costs and advancing employee interests. The Council also recommends implementation of several pilot programs to the President.

Almost a year has passed and the Department of Veterans Affairs is yet to comply with Executive Order# 13522. On October 26,2010, VISN 5 initiated a meeting with the Union to establish a Labor-Management forum. Unfortunately, most of the members of the committee needs to take the 2 days training required in order to start the forum. NAGE is hopeful that by the creation of this VISN forum, our workplace environment will be safer and nurses will be able to deliver an efficient and quality care to our veterans. I will continue to update everyone as we move along with this new committee.

Evelyn

SEPTEMBER 2010
On September 8-10, 2010, a National Union Convention was held in Atlantic City.
Delegates and Alternate Delegates from all around the Country gathered and re-elected National President David Holway to his 3rd term. A new National Executive Secretary, National Executive Treasurer, National Vice-Presidents, and members of the National Executive Board were also elected to a 4 year term.
There were many interesting speakers such as Mary Kay Henry, President- SEIU, Anna Burger, Secretary/Treasurer - SEIU, Julia Akins Clark, General Counsel for FLRA, and Susan Tsui Grundmann, Chairman of the U.S. Merit System Protection Board.
In his speech, President Holway indicated, eight years ago, his new NAGE team was elected on a promise that he will do things differently and put “MEMBERS FIRST”. Before him, NAGE was like an island without any friends or allies and members did not have any input whatsoever. He made major changes by creating a National Executive Board Members consisting of Local Unit elected officials. Four years ago, he created Advisory committees from different sectors such as Federal, Municipal and State therefore, doubling the local leaders with input in the National level. In the last few years, NAGE memberships continue to expand all across the country.
However, we still need to reach out, build bridges, and connect with allies that are willing to fight for the working families.

Evelyn