SEIU vs. CNA this week at my hospital

[CABG patch kid, BSN, RN]

After reading so much about what happened in Ohio a week or two ago, I tried to stay neutral and look at both sides of the story, like I do with any other situation that has two or more sides.

However, this week I have personally experienced something that makes me question and doubt CNA's motives. Just two days ago at work, 0700, nurses start showing up for change of shift with hot pink flyers in hand. Guess who was passing them out by the employee parking lot? Yep, CNA representatives. Also, does anyone else find it a bit coincedental that our hospital employees (including nurses) are represented by SEIU? Finally, did I mention that we have been in bargaining for about 6 weeks and our current contract expires very soon? Yes, all interesting pieces of the puzzle here.

I am not sure exactly what CNA's intentions were at our facility, as we quickly took all the flyers and put them in the shredder bin. Security was promptly called to escort them off the premises, and the police were also there when I left. But those CNA people aren't so easily discouraged!! The next night when I came back to work, they were across the parking lot, on the sidewalk where they wouldn't technically be on our property, still handing out those little pink flyers.

I wanted to post here in light of the whole fiasco in Ohio, not to cause drama, but to let people know that there is something fishy going on with CNA.

[nicurn001]

In the interest of remaining neutral in this matter , I am sure that nurses are also being lobbied by the SEIU , indeed if you check out other threads on this forum they have been going to peoples homes .That is a bridge too far as far as I am concerned .

[nicurn001]

CarebearRN08 I see no reason for you too lose your neutrality in this matter from what you describe . I am sure that the SEIU is lobbying nurses in CNA , indeed if you look at other threads on this forum , you will find that they have even been going to nurses homes!. I think we all can agree that ,that is going a bit too far .

In order to try to formulate an opinion on a matter we should seek information from both sides of an argument . I am a progressive , I will listen to anything from PBS to FOX news to try to challenge my opinions , so whilst having CNA turn up at your hospital may be uncomfortable for you , why not look into there web site to obtain their viewpoint .

We can all seek support and solace from what we know , but we will know nothing because we have not challenged our opinions by looking at the opposing point of view

[Sherwood]

In the interest of remaining neutral in this matter , I am sure that nurses are also being lobbied by the SEIU , indeed if you check out other threads on this forum they have been going to peoples homes .That is a bridge too far as far as I am concerned .

I agree with you. Going to peoples homes uninvited is absolutely unacceptable and should not be tolerated. It must be known though that from my personal experience and from what I have been told both the California Nurses Association (CNA/NNOC) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) practice this. Make it clear to your organizers how you feel about this and if you feel harassed by union organizers in any way, take photographs (cell phone camera) document the date and time, a full description of the harassment and if possible the name of the representatives involved. Report this toy your human resources department and file a charge against the union and the organizers involved. This is the only way this harassment can be stopped.

not so neutral here,

Sherwood

[nicurn001]

I agree with you. Going to peoples homes uninvited is absolutely unacceptable and should not be tolerated. It must be known though that from my personal experience and from what I have been told both the California Nurses Association (CNA/NNOC) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) practice this. Make it clear to your organizers how you feel about this and if you feel harassed by union organizers in any way, take photographs (cell phone camera) document the date and time, a full description of the harassment and if possible the name of the representatives involved. Report this toy your human resources department and file a charge against the union and the organizers involved. This is the only way this harassment can be stopped.

not so neutral here,

Sherwood

Whilst I agree with you to a point , I would put a little different emphasis upon this than you . If the Organizers come to your residence as any other solicitor does , I would treat them as any unwarranted solicitor , cordially debatting with them or telling them to leave , if that is what I desired . If they were truly harassing me then yes report the matter to whoever is appropriate .

In relationship to what was being discussed in this thread , the CNA representatives were being harassed , by the SEIU , to such an extent that a court order has been issued to stop the SEIU's behavior.

[klbackus]

... the cna representatives were being harassed , by the seiu , to such an extent that a court order has been issued to stop the seiu's behavior.

yeah, this nurse and respiratory therapist are real bullies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngw2qjtgw4i

they were just asking the cna leaders why their organization interfered in the union election of 8,000 healthcare employees in ohio.

[nicurn001]

yeah, this nurse and respiratory therapist are real bullies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngw2qjtgw4i

they were just asking the cna leaders why their organization interfered in the union election of 8,000 healthcare employees in ohio.

anyone can find many clips upon youtube supporting both sides in this dispute .

my point was that a court ,applying the law had decided to place a restraining order upon the seiu 's activity.

with the background of the ongoing hostility between cna & seiu , if leading members of either faction had opponents turn up at their homes or workplaces , however innocous the original meeting , they may feel harrassed as the situation could rapidly spin out of control , as appears to have happened at the labor notes meeting.

[RN Power Ohio]

Thank you. I am sure that video only tells part of the story. The entire story is chronicled here:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/22/12736/8368?new=true

While it is a diary created by a CNA member the accounts are from a variety of sources.

[RN Power Ohio]

And here is another that discusses the bigger picture

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/22/181654/416/784/498557

It is unfortunate that things are so heated but there is so much at stake!

I think I am going to start some threads related to the history of the labor movement and some new proposed changes to labor law so that we can all have important insight that is needed to really understand what is happening.

[RN Power Ohio]

See this letter from MNA

http://www.calnurses.org/assets/pdf/support_letter_mna.pdf

[klbackus]

My point was that a court ,applying the law had decided to place a restraining order upon the SEIU 's activity.

A California Superior court threw out the temporary restraining order today, dismissing it as another one of CNA's publicity stunts.

See http://www.shameoncna.com/.

[HobbesRN]

Anyone can find many clips upon youtube supporting both sides in this dispute .

My point was that a court ,applying the law had decided to place a restraining order upon the SEIU 's activity.

With the background of the ongoing hostility between CNA & SEIU , if leading members of either faction had opponents turn up at their homes or workplaces , however innocous the original meeting , they may feel harrassed as the situation could rapidly spin out of control , as appears to have happened at the labor notes meeting.

That restraining order was found to be baseless and overturned yesterday by the California Supreme Court.....well, not baseless---actually based on lies and misrepresentations.

Read about it: www.ShameOnCNA.com