MASSACHUSETTS NURSE NEWSLETTER :: September 2007

Dues proposal from Region 4 Board to be taken up at Convention
By Brian Zahn

The Board of MNA Region 4 has heard from many of our members about the increases in MNA dues over the past couple of years. Members’ opinions vary widely, from those who find the dues very burdensome to those who believe the dues are fair considering the higher salaries and benefits the MNA has helped nurses achieve and the work the MNA does for nurses, our professional practice and for our patients.

One issue that most people seem to have in common is that very important decisions about dues increases are made by a relatively small number of MNA members, the 200 or so who attend the annual business meeting at convention. Yet dues increases impact over 20,000 members.

In order to address this issue, the Region 4 Board has put forth a proposal that would give every MNA member the right to vote, by secret mail ballot, for any future increases in MNA dues. Such a change requires an amendment to the Bylaws of the MNA. Bylaw changes are approved at the MNA’s annual meeting, at convention, when two-thirds of the members who are present vote in favor of the amendments. So now it’s up to you. If you feel that approval of dues increases should be done through a secret mail ballot, you need to attend this year’s MNA annual meeting at the Springfield Sheraton, on Thursday, Oct. 4, starting at 2 p.m. to cast your vote.

You must be there in person. You do not need to register for the annual meeting in advance and there is no charge for members to attend annual meeting.

Brian Zahn is an RN, president of the Board of Directors Region 4 MNA and chair of the Lawrence Public Health MNA bargaining unit.