With an 10-1 Vote to Unionize
In a vote counted by the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) on June 22, the Bone Marrow Transplant Patient Coordinators at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center overwhelmingly decided to join the Ohio Nurses Association.
As members of ONA, these registered nurses will have the solidarity and support of more than 8,000 RNs across the state, including nearly 4,000 registered nurses already unionized at OSUWMC.
“We are thrilled,” says David Waddell, BSN, RN, a BMT Coordinator who has worked at OSUWMC for six years. “Since I started at OSU, I’ve seen management make more and more decisions that put profits ahead of our patients. I’ve also seen how our unionized colleagues have come together to fight for our patients and themselves. My BMT colleagues and I are ready to begin negotiating a contract that’s grounded in the best interests of workers and patients.”
The main priorities for the BMT Coordinators are maintaining exceptional patient care by achieving fair pay and benefits to recruit and retain these highly specialized nurses, opportunities for professional development, and a voice on the job to ensure that their expertise is respected.
“We’re proud to welcome this group of highly skilled nurses to our union. With 27 years of Med-Surg bedside nursing experience at OSU, I know firsthand the importance of solidarity and having a voice at the table,” stated Amy Pompeii, RN-BC, Chair of the ONA Economic and General Welfare Commission.
SERB will officially certify the results at an upcoming board meeting and then the members will begin the process of negotiating a contract with the medical center.
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Michelle Donovan
Phone: (614) 668-9927
Email: mdonovan@ohnurses.org