Unit Rules :: Alaska Nurses Association





	RNs United Local Bargaining Unit Rules Alaska Nurses Association Central Peninsula General Hospital Soldotna, Alaska Article I—Name The name of this unit shall be the Central Peninsula Local Unit of Soldotna, Alaska. Return to Top Article II—Objectives The objectives of this unit will be to: Provide quality patient care and create a safe and productive work environment. Service the professional employee interests of the registered nurses employed at Central Peninsula General Hospital through education, legislation, and other group activity. Advise and assist the Alaska Nurses Association in its dealings with the Employer concerning grievances, labor disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours of employment, or conditions of work. The Alaska Nurses Association shall be the exclusive bargaining representative on behalf of unit members. Promote professional and social unity between registered nurses of Central Peninsula General Hospital and the entire profession. Promote the Alaska Nurses Association (AaNA) and the American Nurses Association (ANA), uphold the AaNA bylaws and adhere to the ANA Code for Nurses. Return to Top Article III—Membership A. Eligibility. Membership eligibility shall be limited to those registered nurses employed at Central Peninsula General Hospital who are eligible to be members of a bargaining unit and who are members of the Alaska Nurses Association. The Alaska Nurses Association shall act as their representative for collective bargaining. B. Rights of Individual Members. Rights of individual members in good standing shall include but not be limited to: The right to attend membership meetings and participate in the business. The right to be a candidate for office, and as a candidate have the right to have an observer at polling and tallying places. The right to be notified of an election of officers at least [twenty-one (21)] fifteen (15) days prior to an election. The right to vote for contract ratification, in referendums, in elections, and any other matters determined by the elected officers. The right to file a complaint relative to election procedures. Such complaint must be filed in writing at the local level. The right to a fair hearing of any disciplinary action. The right to support the candidate of his choice without interference or penalties, or disciplinary action. C. Obligations of Individual Members. Obligations of individual members in good standing shall include but not be limited to: Pay AaNA dues on a timely basis. Uphold the rules and policies of AaNA and the local unit. Adhere to the ANA Code for Nurses. Uphold the Bylaws of AaNA. D. Compliance. Authority. A member may be disciplined by AaNA for cause pursuant to and consistent with the AaNA bylaws. Disciplinary Action. A member may be expelled or censured by an impartial hearing panel appointed by the AaNA Board of Directors upon recommendation by the AaNA Labor Council. No disciplinary action shall be taken unless the member is served with specific written charges, including the article and Section of the Bylaws alleged to have been violated, and has time to prepare a defense. Appeal. The decision of the hearing panel may be appealed to the AaNA Board of Directors, whose decision shall be final. Return to Top Article IV—Officers A. The officers of this unit shall be: A President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and two (2) Grievance Officers, all of whom shall be members of the American Nurses Association and Alaska Nurses Association. In the absence of the President, the Vice President or another appointed member of the unit, shall perform the duties of the President and shall become the President in case of a vacancy in that office. Vacancies in any of this unit's offices shall be filled by simple majority election at a regular meeting of the local unit for the un-expired term. B. Duties of Officers. The President shall preside at all meetings of the unit and be an ex officio member, with vote, on all committees. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President, shall make arrangements for all meetings, authorize payment of bills that have been approved by the President or Secretary, keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements, and give a financial report at each local unit meeting and shall perform other duties as may be assigned. The Secretary shall send out notices of all meetings as necessary, see that notices of all meetings are posted on the proper bulletin boards, keep the minutes of all meetings, keep the roll of the members, preserve all correspondence and other records of the group, and furnish committees with all papers referred to them. The Secretary shall also supply the AaNA Labor Council with a current copy of the unit's rules and any amendments. The Secretary shall also notify officers and committees of their election and/or appointment. The Grievance Officers shall be the liaisons between the unit and AaNA to advise and assist AaNA in the Association's dealings with the Employer concerning grievances. Training will be made available within the first year in office. Standing and special committees shall be appointed by the officers. Return to Top Article V—Election and Voting A. Nominations. Candidates may be nominated to the ballot by recommendation of the nominating committee, or by nomination at a regular meeting by self or another member. All nominations will be with the agreement of the nominee. Write-in candidates will not be permitted. All candidates must have equal campaign privileges. Local unit funds may not be used to fund campaigns. B. Terms of Office. Officers and AaNa Labor Council Member shall serve a term of three (3) years. Officers may run for a different office, but may not hold the same office for two (2) consecutive terms. A term of office shall begin upon verification of the election. AaNA shall be notified of election results within fifteen (15) days of the election. C. Eligibility for Office. A candidate must be an AaNA member in good standing before running for office. A member shall be ineligible for a candidacy for office of the local unit if he/she holds a membership in and advocates a rival organization or is advocating the withdrawal from AaNA or ANA. Any elected or appointed officer may be removed at will by those persons who elected or appointed him/her by majority vote, whenever it is in the best interest of the organization, or for cause. D. Members shall be notified by posting on bulletin board fifteen (15) days prior to an election of officers. Attempts shall be made to hold elections one year prior to the beginning of contract negotiations. E. Elections shall be by secret ballot. Balloting may be conducted by mail. Absentee ballots may be available, if requested from an Officer. Absentee ballots must be requested and submitted greater than 48 hours prior to the election. F. Each member of the unit shall be eligible to cast one (1) vote per issue. G. The election procedure shall follow the requirements of all applicable laws which govern the local unit. H. A majority of members voting shall constitute an election of officers. I. Any member of the local unit may challenge the election. Such challenges must be submitted in writing to the local unit president and AaNa Labor Council within seven (7) days of election verification. J. The local unit shall conduct ratification votes at the request of the AaNA. All AaNA members in good standing shall be eligible to vote. Voting shall be by secret ballot. K. When taking a strike vote at the request of the Alaska Nurses Association, sixty-seven percent (67%) majority of bargaining unit members shall be required to authorize a strike date to be set by the Alaska Nurses Association L. Contracts are ratified by a simple majority of bargaining unit members voting. Ratification elections shall be held at a time and place that allow for all shifts of nurses to vote. Return to Top Article VI—Committees A. Authority. The officers shall appoint committees and define their authorities and responsibilities where not stated in these rules. B. Composition. The committees shall be composed of members of the unit, who shall be AaNA members in good standing. C. Reporting. Committees shall report to the membership when requested. D. Standing Committees. The Negotiating Advisory Committee shall be comprised of all bargaining unit members who are AaNA members. This committee shall assist the negotiating team and AaNA in drafting contract language. Advise and assist the negotiating team and AaNA during the negotiating process. The negotiating team shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, two Grievance Officers, and a Professional Negotiator to be determined and agreed upon by the AaNA and the local bargaining unit officers. This team reserves the right to authorize one floating seat for outside experts or alternate member to assist in negotiations. The officers will appoint the Nominations Committee. Return to Top Article VII—Meetings A. There shall be at least four (4) meetings of the unit per year, the time and place to be determined by the elected officers. Members shall be notified by written notice of meeting time and place via bulletin board, which is the primary means of communication. B. Special meetings may be called by the President or if requested by ten percent (10%) of the unit membership. C. Two (2) officers and five (5) members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of this unit. Return to Top Article VIII—Parliamentary Authority The rules contained in Robert's "Rules of Order, Revised" shall govern meetings of this unit in all cases in which they are not inconsistent with these rules. Return to Top Article IX—Amendments A. These rules may be amended by any regular meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting, provided the proposed amendments have been know to all members at least fifteen (15) days previous to the meeting. B. These rules may be amended without previous notice at any meeting by a unanimous vote of all members of the local unit. C. Amendments must be submitted to the AaNA Labor Council for approval. The effective date of these rules shall be ______________, 2004. ______________________________________ Local Unit President ______________________________________ Local Unit Secretary Return to Top