Top 10 Reasons Against Unions

Nurses Union

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Top ten reasons why we don't want a union

10. the union doesn't write my paycheck.

9. unions would rather cause problems than work together.

8. union scale means the best workers are carrying the worst.

7. the people who want a union really need one.

6. too corrupt.

5. too political, too liberal and too partisan.

4. unions are only about power and money for the ones who run the union.

3. unions are negative about everything but how great they are.

2. I like to work steady.

1. I've got too much self respect.

All nurses want to work in an environment in which they can take care of their patients in a safe and timely manner. An environment in which they can take a rest and pee and eat so as to support their bodily functions so that they can feel healthy enough to take care of their patients and go home and take care of their families (this does not happen). Nurses take on an added liability because they take care of people - humans - this is why MDs is so high - so it is offset by the nurse. This charge requires extra care for the nurse in order to fulfill this duty since it is a more stressful job description and they take on more personal liability in terms of the healthcare of their patient and exposure to healthcare toxins such as germs and stress. I cannot stress enough upon the terms GERMS AND STRESS! If nurses don't get that they are under more stress than any other job related to GERMS AND STRESS and won't take up for themselves then nurses will always fall victim to this. Management and Admin count on this to make money. They might disguise this as patient first but it is should always be NURSE AND PATIENT FIRST since the two go hand in hand. It's ridiculous to think otherwise. unless you are a martyr or masochist. That's your business. I see very few senior nurses all uppity about other nurses complaining. Nurses right now have a right to complain. Wages are going down. Acuity and job functions are going up. New nurses do not know this. They are tricked into chasing a dollar while pursuing a worthy cause. But they don't know the liability that comes with being responsibility of another human being's outcome. Johnson and johnson make wonderful ads about a job that is good for humanity while having job security. There is no job security anymore in nursing and you can run to another state for a job but when that one fills up the same prob is there. This is a job about taking care of a sick society that has been made by fast food and big pharmacy marketing only because our society's lifestyle has had to become so fast to make money for big biz. And big biz runs our jobs. It's a circular problem and nurses can do something if anything about it if they can stop placing themselves second place because they are first place with patients/society.

Our hospital just went unionized with SEIU, are you guys familiar with them?

Specializes in Critical-care RN.

SEIU is good...:yes:

Well I hear there is a bargining event going on between SEIU and my work. Hopefully it is for the best for all parties

NNOC is better!!

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN (ret)

Somewhere in the PACNW

While I agree that many things we now enjoy are results from unions...the one union I was with was about as useful as my appendix. They did not stop us from being mandated. It was almost impossible to fire unsafe and useless workers. We were told we couldn't start work early and had to punch out on time. When we had to stay late to chart or wait for habitually late relief or deal with patient issues, we did not get paid for that time. Who got us our money? The state labor board, not the union. Wages went up minimally. Benefits went up more than what our raises were along with unions dues. I am so glad to be gone from that union.

The only good thing I have to say is that it would have taken an act of God for me to ever get fired.

They just unionized our hospital, but I am management so I don't have to join. We will see how it works out. Right now I am not too pleased since I can't offer incentives to people to stay and work extra shifts. But I hope it does work out for the workers that voted them in.

We do not have unions for nurses in my state so I can't tell you what it is like to with one. But, I do know that the CEO of my hospital make over 1,100,000 per year (works out to be over $4000 per day. PER DAY). Who is the lowest paid executive? The Chief Nursing Officer - at under 250,000 per year. Not that I'm all for her making more, but it does tell me that nursing isn't really valued much at our hospital if she make under 250,000 and the VP of human resources makes OVER 450,000 per year. (For non-profits, these figures are available online if you know where to look).

We are over worked, under staffed and often go without even cost of living raises. Although my team is great and we do an outstanding job with what we have to work with, there are ongoing problems that are never solved because the real issues are never addressed - we need more staff to take care of the patient load we have. Maybe unions would help with that.

Specializes in Critical-care RN.

... great story from management :roflmao:

But... but... but, they "brought us the weekends" while ensuring there is no child labor employed as nurses. ;)

Nurses, go to NNOC, and start a unionizing campaign asap! Orlando Medical Center in Florida really stuck it to their nurses. Right after everyone worked so hard to help the hospital achieve, "Magnet Status", they cut pay, benefits, working conditions, etc. Fool me once, shame on you, fool we twice, shame on me!

That, folks, shows a hospital's true colors, not the, "attaboys", that they throw you with some crumbs!!

The employees in this country would be in alot worse shape today, if it wasn't for the labor movement a century ago. It was not just pay, it was the deplorable, unsafe working conditions, that lead to the Union movement in the recent past.

Spare me the sob stories, about how the workplace has changed, employers are now so benevolent, and unions are a thing of the past, blah, blah, blah. Phoooey! Nothing has changed, they just have more tools to stick it to employees- "Right to Work" for less laws, spreading even to the heart of the Labor Movement in Michigan,etc.

The only cure for, "Right to Work", for less, laws, is for all employees to unionize asap! Yes, you can unionize in Right to Work states. They make it harder, but it so much more satisfying when you do. Take control of your profession, no matter what it is! THAT is the American Way!!

JMHO and my NY $0.02

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Somewhere in the PACNW

Specializes in Rehab/Brain/Stroke/Spine.

"The employees in this country would be in alot worse shape today, if it wasn't for the labor movement a century ago. It was not just pay, it was the deplorable, unsafe working conditions, that lead to the Union movement in the recent past. ~Lindarn"

Amen!! My grandparents, and great-grandparents were among those involved in the labor movement.

OSU Wexner in Columbus is union.

Any nurses work at OSU Wexner? if so, give me your opinion. And, tell me I am wrong if the following is untrue ...

Columbus has:

Mt. Carmel ~ East, West, St. Ann's, New Albany Surgical Center and they have a new partnership with OSU Wexner (that is new, and I am not yet familiar with what it entails) also, a new hospital in Grove City has broke ground, and more.

OhioHealth ~ Grant in downtown, Riverside Methodist Hospital, Marion and Hardin Hospitals and more.

Nationwide Children's Hospital ~ has their beautiful newly renovated campus, and several outlying facilities.

So, we have HUGE health care systems.

Because of OSU Wexner (union), all of the other hospitals (non-union) benefits and wages mirror what they are doing, period!

OSU nurses get a raise, we get a raise.

Not 100% of the time, but definitely most of the time.

Why don't your hospital be the first, and show the rest how it can help.

Call the NNOC, and get started tomorrow. You have nothing to lost but more pay.

JMHO and my NY $0.02

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Somewhere in the PACNW

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