FAQs About CAN Membership Notification

New Jersey Nurse, Nov/Dec 2004

Q I am an NJSNA member and I want to belong to CAN. What should I do?

A As long as you are not represented for collective bargaining by any of the following unions, you should do nothing. You will automatically become a member of CAN at no additional cost.

If you are represented for collective bargaining by any of the following unions, you will have to inform NJSNA of your union representation and opt out of membership in CAN.

Unions representing nurses in NJ: NYSNA; HPAE; Unite Here; JNESO; PACE; Teamsters; UFCS, NJEA, AAUP.

Q I am an NJSNA member and I don't belong to any union but I do not want to belong to CAN. What should I do?

A You should notify the NJSNA membership department of your choice to opt out of CAN membership. Remember that it doesn't cost any more to join CAN and receive those member benefits.

Q I am an NJSNA member and I am represented by NYSNA for collective bargaining. Do I have to Opt out?

A Yes, you will have to opt out because you are represented for collective bargaining by one of the unions that represent nurses in NJ.

Q I am a long-time NJSNA member and recently signed a union card because I philosophically believe I need to have professional representation by a nurse's union in my workplace. Do I have to opt out?

A No. Right now you do not meet the criteria of being represented for collective bargaining by a union. Since you are not a member of a union yet, you may choose to do nothing at this time and be presumed to be a member of CAN until such time that your unit signed a contract with a union. At that time, you will need to opt out of CAN by simply notifying NJSNA's membership department.

Q I am a school nurse and member of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), what should I do?

A Because you are a member of NJEA, you meet the criteria of being part of a collective bargaining unit and should contact NJSNA to opt out. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is another union which some nurses in academia may belong to. In eitherof these situations, you are required to opt out of CAN.

Q I am a non-collective bargaining unit member of NJSNA but my husband belongs to a union. I do not want to belong to any anti-union organization. What should I do?

A If you feel that strongly about it, you should notify NJSNA's membership department and exercise your right to opt out of CAN. By doing so you will ensure that you are not included in the membership of CAN.

Q I am not sure I understand what CAN is all about. Where can I learn more about it and the membership benefits CAN has to offer?

A For more information about CAN you can go directly to their web site at www.centerforamericannurses.org.

If you still have questions please call NJSNA's membership department at 609-8835335 ext. 13 or 22 or email Shirley at shirley@nsjna.org or Sharon at sharon@nsjna.org.

Remember there is a deadline, so act now to ensure proper membership classification in CAN!