Unions

I work in a critical access hospital in rural Montana. In short, if it were not for the RN's being unionized, things here would be worse than they are already. It does keep management away from some things. Problem I see is that if you could get ALL the nurses to stick together, things would be much better for us all. But as in most cases, there is always a few who don't see the big picture and only think of their own interests for right now. Sucks. I don't see much use for the union here because if they (management) want to run you over - they will.

I'm a union fan in principle and practice. We organized our hospital in 2000 and it has made a real difference here in making nurses personal lives and incomes better and in giving us a more meaningful voice in decision making. It's taken time for management to get over the "fight the union" mindset they developed during the organizing campaign and begin to be able to work constructively with us. But they are now finally coming around and we are being able to make an even bigger difference. Making the economics better for nurses was the easy part, making the care environment better is harder, but the results of that are beginning to really show up now. The last thing to say is that it depends on the union. I'm a believer in nurse unions controlled by nurses - like the better state nurses associations are. Because many state nurses associations don't do collective bargaining, a lot of non-nurse unions have organized some nurses and they don't tend to get nurse issues as well. Everyone from the steelworkers, teamsters and laborers unions to several teachers unions have some nurses they represent, but they can never do it in the way a nurse union can.

I'm not sure I get your point here. You "don't see much use for the union", but those few who don't agree with you should join it? I'm not trying to be a smarty-pants, I just know next to nothing about unions. If the union is nearly useless, what is the big picture? Why is it that people who don't agree with you about the union are selfish? And if the union is indeed useless, maybe the few do see the big picture? Your post is confusing.

We are struggling in Tx to get the word out about the vote this spring in the Tx legislature to mandate nurse to pt ratios and whistle blower protection. Any suggestions from anyone?

Perhaps calling and writing your local legislators. You can find out how here:

http://www.calnurses.org/nnoc/texas/?print=t

Or contact other nurses to work together. A phone number is here:

http://www.calnurses.org/nnoc/

Article:

Influencing Health Care in the Legislative Arena

I look at ca.and n.y. To see better working conditions . These have been achieved with the help of unions

I am a firm believer in contacting out legislators, and voicing my opinion firmly, soundly, intellectually, and with passion and resolve. I am sure the FBI and other agencies already have a nice dossier on me for my communications and beliefs. I love it personally.

CON: Unions are prime soil for the sprouting up of corruption.

CON: Incompetent/lazy/dishonest employees often find protection (from the due consequences they deserve) under the umbrella of the union