FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2024
Columbus, Ohio –– Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator Nurses (BMT RNs) at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC), a new local unit of the Ohio Nurses Association (ONA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), unanimously ratified their first union contract with OSUWMC on April 3.
“Our nurses are proud of the exceptional BMT program at the OSUWMC James Cancer Hospital,” said Stephanie Richey, BSN, RN, BMTCN. “Our members coordinate the transplants for every patient that comes through our program, and this contract gives us a protected voice to advocate for every BMT patient.”
The contract creates a professional practice committee where nurses will be able to advocate for their patients and practice, as well as a grievance procedure to hold management accountable.
“Our members remained steadfast in our determination to win for our union and this first contract,” said Michelle Johnson, BSN, RN, BMTCN. “Our agreement protects our role in the BMT program and treats our members as equals to other RNs at OSUWMC through recognition of our advanced degrees and specialty certifications and opportunities for professional development. This agreement will help us to recruit and retain nurses, which is a huge win for our growing BMT program.”
The contract also includes significant wage increases for the nurses with an average increase of more than 21% in the first year of the contract.
“We’re proud to welcome our newest union sisters and brothers to ONA,” said Rick Lucas, BSN, RN, CCRN, Ohio Nurses Association President and Executive Director. “We know our BMT coordinators will work together with our existing union nurses who work throughout the BMT program in both inpatient and outpatient settings to ensure we provide the best possible care for all of their patients.”
The new agreement was effective April 1, 2024, and expires March 31, 2027.
ONA represents more than 3,000 nurses at OSUWMC and is currently negotiating first contracts for respiratory therapists and surgical technologists at OSUWMC.
Contact: Michelle Day
Director of Communications & Technology
mday@ohnurses.org
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