2019 Florida Nurses Association Yearbook

2019 Florida Nurses Association
Debbie Hogan-Chairperson of LERC
John Berry-Director of Labor Relations & Governmental Affairs
FNA/OPEIU
Labor and Employment Relations Council
Local 713
Shands Hospital at the University of Florida (Gainesville)
Rockledge Medical Center
Professional Health Care Unit (State Unit)
Florida State University – University Health Services (Tallahassee)
Florida International University (Coral Gables)
The FNA Labor and Employment Relations Council (LERC), brings all the FNA Bargaining Units together to make
decisions that will strengthen the membership. This past year, for LERC, has been one of rebuilding and solidifying
the base. Our bargaining units have participated more in our contract campaigns and have taken more of an interest
in where their union is headed.
Our state unit has concluded negotiations for our Professional Health Care Unit. We were hoping that when the
change in Administrations took place at the beginning of this year, that our new Governor would not overlook our
membership as the past Administration had done for eight years. But after budget talks were complete, Governor
Desantis did propose an increase for employees who work for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. This should
help with a long overdue recruitment that the Agency has had for a number of years.
We’ve also handled a number of grievances on behalf of the membership. One member had their job reinstated
after being terminated and another had her vacation restored in full after having a portion of it denied. We are
still continuing to work with management on the placement of Children’s Medical Services employees who were
displaced since the state privatized the department with Well Care.
At UF Health/Shands Hospital negotiations have been completed for our contract reopener. The nurses received
an increase in pay and the new agreement was ratified by the membership. The employer also agreed to keep
discussing the issue of parking, which has been a sore subject for our nurses for a long period of time now. The
safety and security of our nurses as they arrive and are leaving work are our main concerns.
Our stewards are doing an excellent job handling any workplace issues that arise and should be commended for
their efforts.
At Rockledge Regional Medical Center a new collective bargaining agreement has been negotiated with a
number of significant improvements. Such as, a five year agreement is now in place, increases in wages, tuition
reimbursement, three new departments that have been negotiated into the bargaining agreement, increases in
differentials and new “float” guidelines.
I would like to congratulate the team for a job well done. The unit will be holding elections soon. Thank you so much
Marcia Stroud for your many years of service on behalf of the membership. You will definitely be missed.
FNA’s contract with the University Health Services at Florida State University was successfully negotiated by our
team recently and it has been ratified by the membership. The team is also putting together issues for a Labor/
Management meeting that will be taking place soon.
LERC’s goal will continue to be building stronger and more involved units on behalf of the membership that we are
privileged to represent.
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