Sympathy strike...would you do it??

[notachargenurse]

I belong to a very strong union who is very opinionated. I don't always agree with their stance on things. There is another union who is striking for possible benefit take-aways...I don't know the true details of what is being proposed to them...because it isn't my union. This other union is NOT a nurse's union. ( I am in a nurse's union)

Our union recently got an EXCELLENT contract passed that starts now and expires in 2014. We had no take-aways at all and excellent pay increases and even a bonus. Our union is telling us we should honor the other union's picket line for a one-day strike in Sept...and even though we have a great contract now, we will be next on the chopping block! (their opinion)

I have a hard time agreeing that we should have a sympathy strike like this when I am completely satisfied with my contract and the employer. Our contract states there is to be NO stop in work or lock-outs. The union says there is a state law that protects us if we have a sympathy strike. The union also believes we won't be locked out if we only strike for ONE day...how do they know?? I feel they are going against our contract if they strike. We are being told to not come to work that day, even if we aren't actually picketing.

What would you do? I am thankful I have a job in this economy!

[heron, ASN, RN]

***ot alert***ot alert***ot alert***

only a post or two in and someone kicks in the godwin's law effect.

i believe that there is more than a bit of difference between nazi genocide and a sympathy strike. i suspect that the families of the 9 million murdered would agree.

thank you :)

as one of those families i am going to thank you for saying this.

it may follow godwin's law, but in this case it's legit ... and that's not trivializng the holocaust in any way.

there's no denying the reality and the profound evil of the holocaust. there's also no denying the truth of another cliche: those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

the creation of scapegoats and the abandonment of the "other" to preserve one's own security were two of the root causes of that atrocity ... and no one can tell me that those dynamics aren't at work in the world now.

the point of the quotation that offended some posters is that, if you are not willing to support another's struggle, don't look for support for yours ... because, depend on it, your time will come.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

What would you do? I am thankful I have a job in this economy!

I also belong to a very strong union with an excellent contract and have some of the same issues you do with my union. A sympathy strike like you mention would definitely violate my union's contract and to my knowledge, they never ask anyone to do something like this.

If my union votes to go on strike, I go on strike. Support your colleagues all you can, but I'm not going on any ad-hoc strike. Ever.

[mazy]

***ot alert***ot alert***ot alert***

there's no denying the reality and the profound evil of the holocaust. there's also no denying the truth of another cliche: those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

the creation of scapegoats and the abandonment of the "other" to preserve one's own security were two of the root causes of that atrocity ... and no one can tell me that those dynamics aren't at work in the world now.

the point of the quotation that offended some posters is that, if you are not willing to support another's struggle, don't look for support for yours ... because, depend on it, your time will come.

we're going to end up going way off here and probably need to reel it in, but the creation of scapegoats and abandonment of the "other" were tangential effects of a policy of eugenics, which was a system that promoted the idea of an ideal race, the creation of which would necessitate the extermination of "sub-groups" of individuals whose existence was deemed to be a detriment to the future of humanity. the worst thing about the holocaust was not just that it stemmed from hatred of the other, but that the engine that drove it was fueled on a cold, calculated sense of expediency.

if you are not willing to support another person's struggle, yes you will also have to pay the consequences and i agree with you 100% in that, which is why i am a union member and support union activities. however, keep in mind that whatever happens in the employment sector, we nurses are not going to be hauled off to the gas chambers in droves until there is no trace of us left on this planet.

so keep your arguments on topic and on track, the only thing you accomplish by playing into this whole godwin theory is that the people who might agree with you are just going to get ****** off, roll their eyes, and dismiss you as someone who is so devoid of relevant ideas and strategies to defend your ideals, that you have ot go all the way back to the worst and most extreme moment of history to make your point.

end rant and over.

[heron, ASN, RN]

The worst thing about the holocaust was not just that it stemmed from hatred of the other, but that the engine that drove it was fueled on a cold, calculated sense of expediency.

And this is different from contemporary corporate behavior how? Especially in the area of labor relations...

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

The difference is with one, you will have poorer working conditions, and less benefits ...your employer is still not going to be able to separate you by race, strip you naked, assault your children, perform brutal medical experiments on you, knock your teeth out tonscavenge the gold, strip you naked, shave off your hair, tattoo a number on you, and gas/stab/behead/shoot you to death.

You have a choice, work there or leave. In the holocaust there was no such choice.

The point of Godwin's law is that overwrought people using hyperboly to describe a much less detrimental issue invariably drive away many who might support their cause. I have always supported strikes and refused to work as a strikebreaker. But referencing a wellknown saying clearly referencing mass genocide and comparing it to a possible decrease in benefits.......reflects very poorly on the writer.

Much like those who scream that requiring discussion of advance directives, is DEATH PANELS, and that hospice is there to give little black pills to kill your loved one, or permitting civil unions will destroy marriage as we know it, it diminishes the poster in our eyes, and pushes us to disregard any of your messages, valid or know.

And bluntly, there are plenty of great analogies out there that are not over the top, that would be more likely to bring more supporters into your fold.

[notachargenurse]

If I had the day off, I would consider standing with the strikers. If I felt the company in question were being unfair, I would not use their services or product. I would not screw my current employer, co-workers, and patients by not showing up if I were scheduled that day.

Your union's job is to obtain & enforce a contract that protects your rights in exchange for your union dues. They've done their job by getting a decent contract, you do your part by paying dues. Your employer expects that by agreeing to certain concessions, they should in return have workers that show up when scheduled.

If the hospital has done their part and follows the contract and they still feel that they may have to deal with employees not showing up due to a strike, I doubt your next labor agreement will be so cushy.

I totally agree. I am also going to ask the union to have us vote on it! It was not up for a vote. Our union does whatever they want with very little input, in my opinion. I am scheduled to work that day, and I feel obligated to do so. But I am worried about how I will be treated by my co-workers if I cross the line.

[TrafalgarRN]

First they came for the communists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.

My exact opinion. To the OP we wok for the same healthcare system. Yes we have an excellent contract till 2014 but you need to see the big picture. They are trying takeaways from other unions which they have never done before so whether you like it or not they will try the same with our union. They already did that to our brothers and sisters in Southern CA. They just crushed the pharmacists down there by eliminating their pension plan and matching contributions to their 401 K; 15 years ago they felt that contributing to the 401K was a bad idea and forced people to the pension system and now don't want to be on the hook for those payments.

If they succeed with takeaways then come 2014 they will do the same to nurses and we shall have no support on our side; and that's when you will remember how they came for the others and you didn't speak and now its your turn and oops there is no one to speak for you.

Sympathy Strike....Yes a 24 hour strike is legal as argued and won at the United States Court of Appeal; Ninth Circuit; CNA versus Childrens Hospital- 2002. I don't know how long you have worked in our system but there is nothing to be afraid of. One thing i would tell you is never ever cross the picket line; i have seen some people do it and trust me from that day your co-workers never look at you the same. Get a vacation day or even take a day off. Nurses of America need to stand strong and united or else Wall Street will take over.

[heron, ASN, RN]

The difference is with one, you will have poorer working conditions, and less benefits ...your employer is still not going to be able to separate you by race, strip you naked, assault your children, perform brutal medical experiments on you, knock your teeth out tonscavenge the gold, strip you naked, shave off your hair, tattoo a number on you, and gas/stab/behead/shoot you to death.

You have a choice, work there or leave. In the holocaust there was no such choice.

The point of Godwin's law is that overwrought people using hyperboly to describe a much less detrimental issue invariably drive away many who might support their cause. I have always supported strikes and refused to work as a strikebreaker. But referencing a wellknown saying clearly referencing mass genocide and comparing it to a possible decrease in benefits.......reflects very poorly on the writer.

Much like those who scream that requiring discussion of advance directives, is DEATH PANELS, and that hospice is there to give little black pills to kill your loved one, or permitting civil unions will destroy marriage as we know it, it diminishes the poster in our eyes, and pushes us to disregard any of your messages, valid or know.

And bluntly, there are plenty of great analogies out there that are not over the top, that would be more likely to bring more supporters into your fold.

The post in question actually made no direct mention of the holocaust. The original writing came out of the author's experience with it, but it was you that went off on the Nazi connection, not the poster. The quotation as a stand-alone statement is still an excellent description of the dynamics of divide and conquer and the dangers of unopposed self-interest.

There is also much to be said regarding the establishment of hierarchies of oppression ... but that's a discussion for another thread.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

For that matter, I referenced Godwin's law and the nazi comparison.

And I continue to believe, that making a reference between management and Nazis is inappropriate. Just as much as when people refer to our presidents as Nazis, for important but far more benign.

And for many of us, that leads us away from the cause espoused.

The holocaust is not the primary issue. The overblown comparison of hospital management = Nazis taking people away is.

Enough OT - I will step out. But with such comparisons being made, I am glad to not be part of a union.

[OCNRN63, RN]

***ot alert***ot alert***ot alert***

there's no denying the reality and the profound evil of the holocaust. there's also no denying the truth of another cliche: those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

the creation of scapegoats and the abandonment of the "other" to preserve one's own security were two of the root causes of that atrocity ... and no one can tell me that those dynamics aren't at work in the world now.

the point of the quotation that offended some posters is that, if you are not willing to support another's struggle, don't look for support for yours ... because, depend on it, your time will come.

the issue of whether or not to strike compares poorly with the devastation of the holocaust. to try to compare the two trivializes the misery and suffering of others. i fear that years from now, younger people are going to view the holocaust as just a blip on the history timeline. it's happening already.

no matter how bad one's working conditions are, no one is working in a concentration camp.

[OCNRN63, RN]

The difference is with one, you will have poorer working conditions, and less benefits ...your employer is still not going to be able to separate you by race, strip you naked, assault your children, perform brutal medical experiments on you, knock your teeth out tonscavenge the gold, strip you naked, shave off your hair, tattoo a number on you, and gas/stab/behead/shoot you to death.

You have a choice, work there or leave. In the holocaust there was no such choice.

The point of Godwin's law is that overwrought people using hyperboly to describe a much less detrimental issue invariably drive away many who might support their cause. I have always supported strikes and refused to work as a strikebreaker. But referencing a wellknown saying clearly referencing mass genocide and comparing it to a possible decrease in benefits.......reflects very poorly on the writer.

Much like those who scream that requiring discussion of advance directives, is DEATH PANELS, and that hospice is there to give little black pills to kill your loved one, or permitting civil unions will destroy marriage as we know it, it diminishes the poster in our eyes, and pushes us to disregard any of your messages, valid or know.

And bluntly, there are plenty of great analogies out there that are not over the top, that would be more likely to bring more supporters into your fold.

Excellent summation.

[OCNRN63, RN]

For that matter, I referenced Godwin's law and the nazi comparison.

And I continue to believe, that making a reference between management and Nazis is inappropriate. Just as much as when people refer to our presidents as Nazis, for important but far more benign.

And for many of us, that leads us away from the cause espoused.

The holocaust is not the primary issue. The overblown comparison of hospital management = Nazis taking people away is.

Enough OT - I will step out. But with such comparisons being made, I am glad to not be part of a union.

Exactly.