A Personal Story

Alabama Nurse,  Sep-Nov 2003  by Carroll, Vicki

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I remember where I was sitting at the table, and can tell you where most of the others sat. It's often like that in thinking back on a day of shock and surprise.

It was early March, 2002, and the members of the American Nurses Association Commission on Workplace Advocacy (CWPA) were meeting face to face in DC to work on documents to be ready to roll out at the Convention in June on such issues as disaster relief and the aging workforce. The Commission members began meeting in October of 2000. Only at this meeting, we were to be addressed by many well-known names at ANA.

Mary Foley, President, began by telling us the story of what began the journey to a change in Bylaws. Then a presentation on two Bylaws models was provided by Alice Bodley and Bill Powers. In addition to the nine Commissioners, Linda Stierle and Anna Gilmore Hall were also present. Concerns were voiced, then the members agreed to develop a response to the proposed Bylaws. I remember the phrase "ANA wants to divest itself of labor designation" so that membership options could be created and to provide a wider ability to meet member needs. Were we surprised to hear that CWPA could be considered a labor organization! The Department of Labor was being asked to make a decision on this, but in the meantime the CWPA was asked to design how we would look as an affiliated organization. And we did.

By mid April, ANA and CWPA were engaged in three days of dialogue on a new relationship envisioned by the proposed amended Bylaws. At the beginning of June, with the Convention in Philadelphia fast approaching, negotiations continued ... what services would WPA provide, how would we be funded. We continually commented on the approximately 66,000 non-collective bargaining RN's and the products and services we had discussed providing starting back in October of 2000.

I am not trying to write a book, not even a chapter. I will just say that in Philadelphia, we saw drama, but received no decision on Bylaws. I just want you to know we were sent in this direction. Then why, when asked to remain in house as another program in October, 2002, did the Commissioners unanimously vote to continue negotiations to become an AOM?

In hearing this analogy at the face to face meetings in October, on two different days, Linda Stierle and Barbara Blakeney listened. It was just a story, told before we voted to explain some of the feelings and concerns: Your spouse announces one day that he would like to see on paper how a divorce would look. Who gets the house, who gets the cabin, and suggestions on all the other issues to be considered. You are shocked, but decide to design how you will function as an independent single. You will rent out the downstairs to your friend Judy who needs temporary housing while she finishes her degree. You will give piano lessons for additional income. Surprisingly, you begin to see all sorts of opportunities. Then a few weeks later he says, "Let's not talk about this anymore. I don't want a divorce." "What about Judy?" "No, forget Judy." "What about piano lessons?" "Oh, I wouldn't want all that going on."

On February 20,2003, WPA and ANA signed the AOM agreement. Another June is here. We have been doing all that we can to define ourselves in the best interest of nurses who need and want a strong workplace advocacy program now and in the future. Now you know a little more about how we got here. Thanks for listening.

Note: On several occasions since February 2003 WPA has been approached by ANA with regards to remaining within ANA as a department. WPA clarified that by remaining as a department within ANA that WPA would work within the 2002 budget of $720,200, revenues would return to the ANA general funds and external relationships would be worked through ANA. After each offer the Commission polled Coalition members. Based on the feedback from members the decision was to remain on track with continuing to pursue the status of becoming an AOM.

by Vicki Carroll RN, MSN

Copyright Alabama State Nurses' Association Sep-Nov 2003
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