Top 10 Reasons Against Unions

[PICUPNP]

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.

[nicurn001]

I think mene19 is a nom de guerre and that this contributor has a axe to grind , from the only other contribution they have made on allnurses , the violence they reference was based on an incident 20 years ago !, what relevance that has to do with present circumstances I don't know .If that if the only occurence of violence that can be referenced it shows their case is spurious , if nurses and their unions were so violent you should be able to find many examples to reference .

It is a waste of time to debate this person because they have started this their second thread as an agent provocateur , simply to get a reaction .

Although on one thing I partially both unions (and in non unionized facillities ) management should respond to nurses queries we HR policies and work place related / personel matters .

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I love a lively debate!! LOLOLOL

Seriously, I don't take too kindly when perhaps some fresh, new nurses read something like the OP and not have the benefit of a debate showing both sides.

[Mindful, RN]

... nothing to debate...

[amygarside]

Interesting debate going on here.

[kmcguirern]

After reading all the posts the union nurses have left, I want to be union so,so,bad. Nursing has become horrible. Patients are suffering and nobody seems to care. The facilities short you on everything and expect you to provide impossible care. They allow things to go on and look away, until you upset someone or complain too much. Then they don't have to look to far to find a reason to fire you. After all, we do what we have to do with what they give us to work with (which isn't much). I just don't know how to go about unionising.

[realkreativ]

Yes, many of the unions are run by nurses!

[apples90]

yes unions are needed. as a 23 yr seasoned nurse, I only WISH I had the opprotunity to be in a union. As long as it is done correctly.(this includes LPN and RN together).

[neurorn6]

I worked in a non union hospital in NJ a few years ago. Nurse patient ration was anywhere from 1-8 on a good day to 1-10. We organized and went union to protect ourselves and our patients. The negoiations were long but eventually we ironed out a decent contract. Then I relocated to a "Right to work state". Big mistake. All that means, is that they have a right to fire you. Pay is poor, insurance sucks, threats all the time. How staff turn over. High nurse/patient ratios.

So yes, unions can and do benefit nurses. We are professionals, although in any other professions we wouldn't be treated like glorified waitresses. I beleive that we need a nation nursing union. In my opinion the ANA is worthless. I'm just saying.

[FlyingScot, RN]

Then I relocated to a "Right to work state". Big mistake. All that means, is that they have a right to fire you.

Point of clarification. You moved to an "employment at will state" which gives an employer the right to fire you for whatever reason they want.

A "right to work" state is one where you are not required to join the union to work a union job.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

"right to work" is a joke. If someone doesn't want to be in a union.... why apply at a place that has one? Yes, if someone wants to work where I do, they have to join the union. That's fair. If they *don't* want to be in a union, there's plenty of crappy non-union nursing homes to choose from.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I worked in a non union hospital in NJ a few years ago. Nurse patient ration was anywhere from 1-8 on a good day to 1-10. We organized and went union to protect ourselves and our patients. The negoiations were long but eventually we ironed out a decent contract. Then I relocated to a "Right to work state". Big mistake. All that means, is that they have a right to fire you. Pay is poor, insurance sucks, threats all the time. How staff turn over. High nurse/patient ratios.

So yes, unions can and do benefit nurses. We are professionals, although in any other professions we wouldn't be treated like glorified waitresses. I beleive that we need a nation nursing union. In my opinion the ANA is worthless. I'm just saying.

That is what I found.....

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Point of clarification. You moved to an "employment at will state" which gives an employer the right to fire you for whatever reason they want.

A "right to work" state is one where you are not required to join the union to work a union job.

Right to work.....Employee at will....they both have the right to fire you without provocation with the proper paper work. I have worked them all......I think we should collective bargain/unionize and become a powerful bargaining unit nationwide.....like the police and firefighters. They have protection and retirement with decent benefits.