The KNA and Its Union Pursue a Friendly Parting of the Ways

            If you read the most recent edition of the KENTUCKY NURSE, you know that the KNA and it’s union have begun proceedings with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), to pursue the union’s right to become independent of the KNA.  The process of granting the union its independence is referred to as “AC Petitions”

            Earlier this year, after the end of the strike, the KNA Board of Directors voted to conduct a vote of the entire KNA membership to determine whether the KNA would remain affiliated with its national union, the United American Nurses (UAN).  The UAN is and affiliate organizational member of the ANA and the KNA membership voted in 1999 to join the UAN, at the request of the union.  The KNA Board of Directors issued and opinion that continued membership in the UAN was not advisable for the KNA and the Board urged the membership to vote to discontinue that affiliation.  The reasons for the Board’s position were outlined in a letter to the membership.  Ballots were to be counted the first week of March.

            Prior to the deadline to count those ballots, the UAN contacted KNA to request that KNA suspend counting of the ballots and pursue the AC Petitions to allow the union to leave the KNA.  The KNA union leadership supported the proposition and requested that the KNA Board of Directors agree to the proposal.  The Board voted to suspend counting of the ballots in order to pursue the AC Petitions, in cooperation with the KNA union and the UAN.

            The union leadership is pursuing a vote of support for the AC Petitions, after which the petitions will be filed with the NLRB.  The timeline is unpredictable, but legal counsel is hopeful that the process will be resolved in a few months.  Legal counsel is also hopeful that the petitions will be granted.

            If the AC Petitions are granted, the union will become an independent organization and the KNA will no longer have a union.

            Updates will be provided as the process continues.  For questions about the AC Petitions, please call Maureen Keenan at 502-637-2546, ext. 11