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COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DISAFFILIATION
Upon scheduling this special meeting, the MNA has
begun to receive a number of questions about the timing and process
for this vote. Below we have provided some answers to those questions.
Additional questions may be directed to David Schildmeier at
the MNA, 781.830.5717 or dschildmeier@mnarn.org
1. Why has a special meeting been
scheduled for March on disaffiliation?
2. Why can't this vote be done
by a mail ballot?
3. Why can't we just come and vote
and leave?
4. If the majority of nurses wanted
disaffiliation why didn't the vote pass at convention?
5. Why can ANA raise dues without
a vote by individual members?
6. How can we be made to become
part of the AFL-CIO without our vote?
1. Why has a special meeting been scheduled
for March on disaffiliation?
A number of leadership groups and bargaining units have requested
a meeting as soon as possible because they believe it is what the
majority of our membership wants. More importantly, ANA is proposing
a number of changes in June that could place the Association and
our members in jeopardy. First, the ANA wants to make it mandatory
that the MNA become part of the ANA's national union, the United
American Nurses (UAN). Our attorney, Alan McDonald has advised
us that belonging to this union, because of the way it is structured,
places every union contract in jeopardy, would prevent us from
organizing new nurses, and would at minimum, open the MNA to costly
legal challenges. Second, the ANA is proposing a dues increase
of more than $35 for all of our members. Third, the ANA is planning
an affiliation of the AFL-CIO that would result in further dues
increases and assessments to our membership. As the current MNA
leadership is opposed to increases in dues, and as we are struggling
with our own deficit budget, we believe the best course is to decide
this issue as quickly as possible. The MNA literally can't afford
to wait.
2. Why can't this vote be done by a mail ballot?
MNA bylaws prohibit a secret ballot. Members have the right to
debate and amend the proposed bylaw change according to Robert's
Rules and consistent with MNA bylaws. The only way to allow
for a secret ballot would be amend the bylaws to allow for
this method. However, that would need to be handled at the
MNA business meeting in November, and then the vote itself
couldn't take place until the following year (November of 2002).
3. Why can't we just come and vote and leave?
Robert's Rules allow for a democratic process that allows for debate
prior to the vote being called. The rules also allow for reconsideration
of a vote previously taken. This is why it is important to
stay at the meeting until the meeting is adjourned.
4. If the majority of nurses wanted disaffiliation
why didn't the vote pass at convention?
Disaffiliation requires a bylaw change and to change a bylaw a
2/3 vote or 66% is required. The vote taken at convention in November
was 62% in favor of disaffiliation, just short of the 2/3 required.
5. Why can ANA raise dues without a vote by
individual members?
Under the bylaws any dues increase by ANA is automatically passed
on to the individual members. The members of the ANA, House of
Delegates can vote to raise dues by a simple majority. Because
we are tied to ANA and as long as we remain affiliated with ANA
any dues increase that is voted on at the June 2001 ANA Delegate
convention will be automatically passed on to all MNA members.
6. How can we be made to become part of the
AFL-CIO without our vote?
If ANA's union the UAN passes mandatory membership at the ANA Delegate
convention in June MNA will be forced to join without your input.
We would also be forced into any affiliation with AFL-CIO and subject
to a per capita payment without our input.
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