After months of negotiation, the West Jersey Local of JNESO overwhelmingly ratified a new, three-year contract with Hospital Management this past March.

The new, three-year agreement has an across-the-board pay increase of 2.5 percent the first year and 3 percent in 2010 and 2011. Additionally, there will be step increases on all levels ranging from 2 percent to 5.5 percent. There are also significant language changes in the area of cancellation that will, after a successful pilot, attempt to ensure that full and part time nurses are guaranteed their committed hours. Other areas of language improvements address issues of disparity in time dispersal involving holidays and per diems. Pension contributions for Virtua members increased from $1.50 to $1.75 beginning in March 2010.

The Local chose a negotiations theme of “JNESO RNs Reach for the REAL STARS” – which refers Virtua’s controversial “Star Standard” performance evaluation, which uses subjective, non-measurable criteria.
This policy certainly diminishes the value of clinical skills in professional nursing and does not address evidence based practice. With pins and posters, Local members reminded Management that they should be judged on actual performance – and the new contract contains language to make sure that happens.

The West Jersey Local is standing out in the community. Along with a giant billboard in Voorhees (see article on page 7), members may have noticed the large JNESO banner hanging on the baseball field just outside the Voorhees campus exit on Carnie and Evesham Rd. The Local is a sponsor of the Cherry Hill Little League, and the banner will continue to hang through the remainder of the year.

The West Jersey Local has also donated $1,000 to Virtua’s Children Achieving Success through Therapeutic Life Experiences (CASTLE) programs for Christmas gifts. West Jersey Local gives throughout the year for various projects in support of the communities they serve.