Old union, new union or no union

[Towbongsnjrn]

I'm been a staff nurse for 5 years. The hospital I work for has been unionized since I stated my career there. At this point, our union contract has expired and is currently being negotiated, which it has been for the past few months. In the middle of these negotiations, a new "independent" union has been formed by a handful of nurses at my hospital. There is an upcoming election allowing the nurses at our hospital to vote for our old union, this "independent" union or no union at all.

I'm still fairly inexperienced and I don't know the difference between working as a non-unionized nurse vs. the opposite. I know I don't want to risk working without representation because I can foresee the possible abuse hat a non-unionized nurse may go through.

I'm not going to ask this forum who to choose. I understand that's a decision I have to make for myself. I just want to know if there is anyone out there who has been through a similar situation and is willing to share that experience here with me.

[Overland1, RN]

Much depends upon the individual, and whether or not one wishes to remain as such. It also depends upon what one wants from his or her work.

[Overland1, RN]

Another thing to consider is that, if you "join" a union, your dues go to places, people, and causes with which you may not disagree. Because you are a "member" of that union, you must pay the dues anyway. I could tell some stories (all true, of course) about these abuses, but that may be for another time and place.

If I were in this union, I would be seriously P'd-O:

[Overland1, RN]

Another thing to consider is that, if you "join" a union, your dues go to places, people, and causes with which you may not disagree.

Meant to type "with which you disagree"... sorry about the double negative.

[Chico David, BSN, RN]

Several quick thoughts: it sounds to me, if I understand correctly, that people at your hospital are trying to set up an entirely independent union, not affiliated with any larger organization There are places with single-bargaining-unit unions that are fairly successful CRONA at Standord University Hospital being an example. But they are the exception. for the most part, a larger union with more power and more structure behind it will be more effective. But not always. In some places the absence of collective bargaining by state nurses associations has led a variety of non-nurse unions - Teamsters, Laborers, Steelworkers and others - into representing nurses. Not always too successfully. As a board member of a nurse union, I can tell you that the complexity of running a union - just in complying with reporting requirements and such - is immense. A big challenge for a new independent organization. I'd be leary of that idea.

And, in response to another comment further up: No state can prohibit nurses unions, at least in the private sector. Some states have so called "right to work" laws, which prohibit a contract that makes union membership mandatory for a particular workplace. In those states, unions tend to be small and weak and not common. But there are no states where unions are illegal - even though a lot of managers will lie about that and love for you to think they are illegal.

[smoke over fire]

Years ago our hospital nurses were represented by a very large union. It wasn't long before the nurses realized that they were just another fat check for this union and they needed to do something, and quick, if they were going to get a contract. So they hired a lawyer and did it themselves. Now they are a union run by nurses for nurses and affiliated with one of the largest unions in the country. So it can be done, but it will be hard and more difficult than just joining a pre-established union.

I trust nurses and if your gut says (I bet you are right) this is a union busting ploy, then you will need to be very careful about who is on what side. If you need to make a change try to get involved in the union you have, and see if it makes a difference. You may have to fire every officer, but try to see if you can fix it first. And then if change is not possible look around. Every now and then a coup d'etat is need to get out a bunch of complacent people vs complete anarchy.

There are alot of options. You can have the union you want. But it will require YOU and your peers to be involved.