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The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) has strongly criticized a ruling by the National Labor Relations Board that jeopardizes the rights of some registered nurses to belong to a union. The 3-2 decision defines hospital nurses as "supervisors" if they work as charge nurses on a permanent basis. Charge nurses coordinate patient care on the unit or floor, ensuring that tasks are appropriately assigned among workers. The ruling makes it easier for employers to keep charge nurses out of union bargaining units. "This decision does not improve the quality of patient care, and may make it worse," said Lorraine Seidel, RN, director of the NYSNA collective bargaining program. "If charge nurses are denied the protections of a union contract, they may be less able to speak out on behalf of patients. Patient advocacy is a key role for registered nurses." Thousands of RNs across the U.S. have joined unions over the past decade as employers have cut corners by increasing their patient caseload. Many believe a union contract is the only way to maintain adequate patient care through provisions such as staffing standards and limits on mandatory overtime. "Charge nurses have been in our bargaining units for the past 50 years," said Seidel. "This decision demonstrates the Board's lack of understanding about what nurses do. While it clearly helps the hospital industry, it may hinder nurses from doing their jobs effectively." The NLRB stated that charge nurses are "accountable" for the actions of other healthcare workers when they assign tasks. NYSNA and the New York State Board for Nursing have taken the position that, under state law, nurses are not liable for the actions of other workers, as long as tasks have been assigned appropriately. "We also are concerned that this decision will result in extended negotiations over the status of charge nurses when we should be talking about workplace conditions and patient care," Seidel said. "We believe hospitals should continue to recognize charge nurses as legitimate members of our bargaining units." ### With more than 34,000 members, NYSNA is the oldest and largest state nurses' association in the nation. It is an influential union for RNs, representing nurses in New York and New Jersey. Offering a wide range of services to its members, NYSNA fosters high standards of nursing education and practice and works to advance the profession through legislative activity. It is a constituent of the American Nurses Association and of the United American Nurses, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.
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For further information please visit:New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)
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