MASSACHUSETTS NURSE NEWSLETTER :: November/December 2007

Health professionals, qualified RNs working minimal hours to pay reduced dues

Rationale of original proposal
The goal of this policy proposal was to better serve current MNA members (meaning those unionized through the MNA at an organized health care facility) who are either health professionals and/or RNs working minimal hours by creating a new, reduced dues category.

In the case of MNA bargaining unit members who are health professionals, the reduced dues would address the fact that their professional, clinical and educational needs cannot be met exclusively by the MNA— meaning that they have to go elsewhere at times for access to information and resources specific to their clinical field.

In the case of MNA bargaining unit members who are working a minimum number of hours, the reduced dues would address the fact that their annual salary is generally far smaller than a full-time RNs’. Despite this monetary difference, nurses who work a minimum number of hours have historically paid dues at the same rate as all other MNA members.

In both cases, members’ dues would be reduced by a total of 25 percent

The voting result: Yes.

A “yes” vote at convention on this policy proposal has resulted in a 25 percent reduction in the cost of dues for current MNA bargaining unit members who are either:

• RNs who work a minimum number of hours (i.e., 19 hours or less per week, or 988 hours or less per year)
• Health professionals (as opposed to registered nurses) regardless of the number of hours they work

Q&A

Q. Who is eligible for inclusion in this new dues category?
A. Registered nurses—subject to verification—who are paid for no more than an average of 19 hours per week (988 hours annually) in the prior year; and health care professionals regardless of the hours they work.

Q. When will this new dues category go into effect?
A. July 1, 2008.

Q. If I’m a nurse working minimal hours, what is the maximum number of hours I can work annually and still qualify for this reduced dues category?
A. 988 paid hours a year.

Q. What do I need to do in order to qualify for this reduced dues category?
A. To qualify for the reduced dues as an RN you will need documentation of all hours paid in 2007. Documentation must be submitted to the division of membership between January 1 at and April 1 each year To receive the reduction on July 1st an RN must be a current member in good standing.

Q. What type of documentation do I need to present to the MNA in order to qualify for this reduced dues category?
A. There will be a form to complete that is not finalized at this time.

Q. How often do I need to show proof of my minimal-hour status to the MNA? A. Annually between January 1 and April 1 to receive the reduced dues, July 1 thru June 30. Q. If I am a health professional unionized with the MNA, what do I need to do to transition into this new dues category?
A. Nothing. The plan is to automatically change you on July 1, 2008.

Q. When will this new dues category go in to effect?
A. The new dues rates will go into effect July 1, 2008.

Q. Will I be getting a rebate?
A. No, unless you paid the annual dues beyond July 1, 2008 then a rebate would be prorated.

Q. Who do I contact should I have questions or need more information?
A. Contact the Division of Membership at 800.882.2056.