[valkyria]

Jackson Health Systems is involved with the SEIU Local 1991. And pay is but one of the concerns of a union in representation of its employees. Working conditions, patient ratios, staffing,right specialty trained nurse for the right acuity of patient, paid vacations and holidays, adequate sick leave and family leave, fair representation during "corrective actions", and the list goes on. Yes, Florida is not the example for the highest pay for nurses based on the cost of living in the corresponding communities but we are not the example for teachers either. We do not pay teachers what they are worth or make it worth their while to go into or stay in the field even if you do have a calling for it.Lottery was not the answer either because for each dollar the lottery put in, one dollar that was alloted to the budget for education could then be used for something else! But this is a nursing web site not for teachers. Physicians too have the opportunity to join a union chapter as well, as do other professionals.

[Yiddle22]

I worked for Bayonet Point Hospital in Pasco county and the nurses alone were represented by the union. I found that all it did was cause us more problems than anything. There was severe retaliation, firing of almost all of the nurses that started the union wave. They pitted non-union workers and union workers against each other at EVERY turn. I only worked there when the first contract started and I saw no difference in pay, ratios, or anything positive for that matter! HCA is a rotten place to work BUT in that area I would have to say that it is a less of the evils. I now work at Florida Hospital and have moved to the Orlando area. I know now what it is like to be appreciated and for my hard work to be rewarded. PLUS the pay is way better! All that said I would have to say that I think unions are BAD! LOL

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

Unions in Florida -- you might as well throw your money into the ocean.