Crossing the line

Nurses Union

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Specializes in NICU.

Note before I begin, this REALLY IS a post about a friend. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool red diaper baby, and would never cross a picket line unless my union leaders OKed it for an emergency, which I'm told does happen.

That said, one of my friends at work is totally anti-union. We may be striking this summer, and she's confided to me that she intends to cross the line in case of a strike. While I don't agree with this, she's my friend and I want to be supportive while letting her know the realities of that choice. So does anyone know what happens in that instance? Obviously the other nurses on our unit won't be happy and will not treat her well once we go back to work, that's a given. But can anything actually happen to her? Could she, for example, be stripped of her union membership? Don't know how that would work, because we're a closed shop and that would mean losing her job, but I'm just spitballing here. Does anyone know anyone who has crossed the line, and what the consequences were?

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Unfortunately it causes really hard feelings. Crossing a picket line tends to be viewed as a betrayal of others. She can't be kicked out of the union but being a scab is not a way to keep good relationships with your peers.

The better choice is for her to attend meetings and voice her opinion against striking rather than breaking the line.

These are never easy decisions. Wishing you the best.

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Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care, Trauma, Neuro..
Note before I begin, this REALLY IS a post about a friend. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool red diaper baby, and would never cross a picket line unless my union leaders OKed it for an emergency, which I'm told does happen.

That said, one of my friends at work is totally anti-union. We may be striking this summer, and she's confided to me that she intends to cross the line in case of a strike. While I don't agree with this, she's my friend and I want to be supportive while letting her know the realities of that choice. So does anyone know what happens in that instance? Obviously the other nurses on our unit won't be happy and will not treat her well once we go back to work, that's a given. But can anything actually happen to her? Could she, for example, be stripped of her union membership? Don't know how that would work, because we're a closed shop and that would mean losing her job, but I'm just spitballing here. Does anyone know anyone who has crossed the line, and what the consequences were?

Technically the union could fine her if she is a dues paying member. The fines could be enormous. She will be harrassed and she will discover who her true friends are.

The union cannot fine her if she resigns her membership now and becomes a dues paying non-member. The union still sticks it to her by taking her money but they cannot fine her or directly penalize her. It will be important for her to take note of any and all acts of harrassment and retaliation and report these to the human resource department with names, times and witnesses if any. I applaud her for not abandoning her patients and being there when her patients need her. While the union must give notice of a strike and the hospital will staff with agency nurses having a dedicated proffesional there who knows the floor and where things are will be a big help.

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I have never known a union to fine a member. I spoke to the very real social costs that could be expected if an individual chooses to cross a picket line.

Of course we could obviate the need for strikes if nurses were covered by binding arbitration laws......

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Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care, Trauma, Neuro..

[quote=HM2Viking;2867463

I have never known a union to fine a member. I spoke to the very real social costs that could be expected if an individual chooses to cross a picket line.

Of course we could obviate the need for strikes if nurses were covered by binding arbitration laws......

I have a few documented instances of union fining and clearly threatening and harrassing members. Here is a link to a website created by a man who was harrased and fined by his union. He sued and won. The union had to apologize and refund him thousands of dollars in legal fees as well as return back dues. http://ibew47.com/

Sherwood

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I have a few documented instances of union fining and clearly threatening and harrassing members. Here is a link to a website created by a man who was harrased and fined by his union. He sued and won. The union had to apologize and refund him thousands of dollars in legal fees as well as return back dues. http://ibew47.com/

Sherwood

Perhaps this individual should refund/return all of the raises and beneifts that the union obtained on his behalf, and he could return to taking 10 patients (or more), on his shift, while the union members have their 4. That, in my opinion, would be the fairest way to settle the score. JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

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Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care, Trauma, Neuro..
Unfortunately it causes really hard feelings. Crossing a picket line tends to be viewed as a betrayal of others. She can't be kicked out of the union but being a scab is not a way to keep good relationships with your peers.

The better choice is for her to attend meetings and voice her opinion against striking rather than breaking the line.

These are never easy decisions. Wishing you the best.

It is interesting your choice of words. Just because some of my coworkers believe unionizing is in there best interest and voted for the union, I never felt "betrayed". Why the word "Scab"? Why name calling at all? Why anger? Why violence? Why threats? Why vandalism? Why? Why must the union create fear and intimidation? Why is it necessary?

In my efforts to convince others that unionizing is not in there best interest I never advocated any of these things. Why are all these things synonymous with union organizing campaigns, strikes and pickets? My pro-union coworker know that I was there for them before their union views were made public and I am still there now. Need help starting a tough IV.......ask me. Huge "Code Brown"? Sure..:eek: Your daughter selling Girl Scout cookies.....YUM! I will not create a "line" that you will ever "fear" to cross.

Sherwood

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Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care, Trauma, Neuro..

seiu intimidation! don't cross that picket line!

http://www.nrtw.org/press/2008/05/nlrb-general-counsel-orders-prosecut

nlrb general counsel orders prosecution of seiu union officials for illegally threatening non-striking nurses

union bosses threatened pomona valley nurses with arrests, jail time, and financial penalties for refusing to abandon their patients

los angeles, california (may 27, 2008) - national labor relations board (nlrb) general counsel ronald meisburg has granted an appeal filed by national right to work foundation attorneys for union-abused nurses at the pomona valley hospital medical center. the federal government will now prosecute service employee international union (seiu) local 121 rn union officials for threatening nurses with financial penalties and arrest for refusing to abandon their patients during a union-ordered strike.

in october of 2007, seiu local 121 rn officials ordered a general strike after the nurses' collective bargaining agreement with the hospital expired. in an effort to intimidate nurses into toeing the union line, seiu officials told nurses that refusal to strike could result in financial penalties or even arrest - citing an unenforceable california state law. nurse carole jeane badertscher, a non-union member, subsequently contacted the national right to work foundation for free legal assistance and filed class action unfair labor practice charges with the nlrb regional director.

after the nlrb regional director declined to prosecute, foundation attorneys filed an appeal with the nlrb's general counsel. following a lengthy review process, the general counsel found merit to the charges, determined that union officials violated the nurses' legal rights.

an nlrb administrative law judge will now evaluate ms. badertscher's twin charges: the first alleges seiu union officials misled nurses by suggesting that nonunion employees would continue to owe compulsory union dues after the nurses' collective bargaining agreement expired. the second alleges that seiu officials illegally threatened nurses for refusing to participate in a union-ordered strike.

"it's outrageous for union officials to suggest that nurses could be financially penalized or even sent to jail for continuing to care for their patients," said stefan gleason, vice president of the national right to work foundation. "while we're pleased that seiu bosses will be prosecuted for breaking the law, this type of abuse will continue until california employees have the protection of a right to work law that makes union membership and dues-payment strictly voluntary."

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Specializes in NICU.

You guys, can we not do this on this thread? I have my feelings and everyone else has theirs. I really just wanted straight facts on what the potential consequences could be for a friend. If we want to have a fight about unions and strikes, can we take it elsewhere?

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Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care, Trauma, Neuro..
You guys, can we not do this on this thread? I have my feelings and everyone else has theirs. I really just wanted straight facts on what the potential consequences could be for a friend. If we want to have a fight about unions and strikes, can we take it elsewhere?

What could and has happened is as stated above.

Hard feelings could be created. What does that mean?

Name calling (Scab)

Fines and penalties assessed by the union.

Just go to youtube and search CNA or SEIU videos and observe their actions. Your friend and you know your coworkers best. How do you think they will react if she or anyone else crosses a your picket line.

Clearly you have to do what you believe is the right thing to do and so does your friend. Regardless of what I or anyone else thinks, she must do what she believes is the right thing and reap the rewards of those actions or pay the consequences.

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