Licensed Practical Nurses at Children’s School Services are now members of the DC Nurses Association. CSS management agreed to voluntarily recognize DCNA after the union filed a petition with the NLRB in mid-October. “We are excited to begin representation and look forward to negotiating the LPN's first contract,” said DCNA Executive Director Ed Smith. In other DCNA news, negotiations have hit impasse at the United Medical Center and an arbitrator will hold a hearing in January on proposals surrounding scheduling, staffing committees, accrual of leave, wages and retirement benefits. DCNA RNs have not had a new contract or a salary increase since January 2012. DCNA has also been meeting with RN bargaining teams at the DC Department of Behavioral Health and Compensation Unit 13 in preparation for new contract negotiations, expected to commence in December.