Unit Staffing Committees. Unit staffing committees may be considered a sub- committee of unit-based councils. Unit staffing plans will be developed with discussion and input from unit-based staffing committees as a shared responsibility of registered nurses and nursing management and administration. Nurses with concerns regarding staffing are encouraged to raise those concerns without fear of retaliation, and to work with their unit- based staffing committee to identify solutions. Unit-based staffing committees will evaluate the staffing needs of the unit (to include meal and rest breaks) and assess the adequacy of the unit’s staffing plan (not specific unit schedules). If the unit-based staffing committee cannot come to a mutually agreed upon recommendation, any dispute will be submitted to the NPPAC. Unit based staffing committees will be comprised of bargaining unit nurses (not to exceed three (3) nurses, with mutual agreement of the parties, additional nurses may be included) and unit management. One co-chair shall be a nurse manager (and/or designee) and one co- chair shall be a bargaining unit staff nurse selected by bargaining unit staff nurses. Assessments and recommendations of unit-based staffing committees will be documented, submitted and reviewed by NPPAC. The Medical Center’s Chief Nursing Officer reserves the right to approve any staffing plans submitted by unit-based staffing committees.
