Alaska Nurses Association News  

New and seasoned leaders from the Ketchikan Registered Nurses and the Providence Registered Nurses (PRN) Bargaining Units joined other Alaskan union leaders January 23 and 24 for the annual AFL-CIO legislative fly-in at Juneau.  Purpose of the gathering is to discuss issues of common interest, especially related to the economy and collective bargaining in the state.  One of the high points of the two days is always the annual update from the state’s chief economist Neal Fried.

The AaNA-Labor Program has been a member of the Alaska AFL-CIO since 1999. We have always sent representatives to the Juneau meeting, but this year we had an especially diversified mix of seasoned attendees, KGH President Susan Walsh and Labor Council chair from PRN, Donna Phillips, as well as new nurse leaders Lila Elliott, KGH Health and Safety office and Labor Council member; Deni Callahan, PRN President and Labor Council Vice-chair; Terra Colegrove, PRN negotiating team member 2012; and Jennifer Hazen, PRN member and Staff Nurse Director, AaNA BOD.

While in Juneau, our delegation met with the AaNA lobbyist team, Caren Robinson and Mark Hickey.  Our lobbyists have worked for the past several legislative sessions to get the Nurse and Patient Safety Act passed, a feat which was accomplished during the last legislative session. We appreciate all the hard work and dedication it took to get this bill enacted. Provisions of the legislation cap the duty day of a direct caregiver at 14 hours followed by 10 hours of uninterrupted rest.

Ms. Robinson and Mr. Hickey also updated us on HB 279, an act which would keep our Board of Nursing as well as other boards and commissions in place. Last year the Board of Nursing was not extended due to language as to who could be eligible to serve on the board. When a board is not extended it has one year to complete its business, unless it is extended before the year runs out.

The nurses also attended the very popular AFL-CIO reception. This is an opportunity to say thank you to all the legislators and their staff for all the hard work they do in a very short 90 day session. The nurses also visited with an old friend of the AaNA former lobbyist John Bitney as he and his band played some old favorites for the crowd.

AFL-CIO Vice Presidents Donna Phillips and Jennifer Hazen attended the business meeting Tuesday morning. The budget was reviewed and motions were made and approved to send funds to Indiana to fight “Right to Work” legislation currently working its way through the legislative process. This legislation would have a detrimental effect on union membership in that state.

This annual event is a great way to network with other unions in our state. We have received great support from the labor community when we’ve needed it in the past. I am happy to be able to show support for other union Brothers and Sisters who may be struggling with their employers. Thanks for the opportunity to serve our union in this very special way.

Left to right: Donna Phillips, BSN, RN (AaNA Labor Council chair), Representative Sharon Cissna, Susan Walsh, RN (President Ketchikan RN Bargaining Unit of the AaNA Labor Program)