[RedZeppelinRN]

I got 3 calls from SEIU. I could not understand their accents and the first 2 hung up on me when I asked them to repeat what they were saying. The 3rd call was from an english speaking male whom I understand what he was saying. He was asking me 3 questions how CNA had bullied SEIU in Ohio. (connected to the HSA). I gave him an earful. Then they emailed me their web site "Shame on CNA." Pretty ugly stuff. I couldn't quite get the jist of how CNA "destroyed their union." What do you think? Where did they get my phone numbers and email address?

Red

[micurn55]

I'm from Ohio, and I know some of the facts around this story. Nurses and other employees at 9 or 10 hospitals in Ohio had been trying to get a vote for three years and were just a couple days from voting union. Dozens of CNA organizers showed up at the hospitals, snuck into them, and ran a "vote no" campaign. It seems like it caused the same sorts of doubts and anxiety that a "vote no" campaign by management causes. Anyway, the elections had to be cancelled and those employees do not have a union. Check out the union website. They have a lot of good links and background: www.seiu1199.org. I don't know if I've seen www.shameoncna.com.

[Ludlow]

I think SEIU got our names from the state BRN. I received a call last week. I was amazed that the caller didn't know any of the background surrounding the survey questions he was asking. I later found out that he was a minimum wage telemarketer that SEIU hired to do these "push polling" kinds of things---someone who probably doesn't have benefits or a decent wage working for SEIU---what irony!

Does the BRN have our email address? I didn't get an email from them. I don't know how they got that kind of private information.

After I found out that these telemarketers were not SEIU organizers, but minimum wage workers, I felt bad that I had given mine an earful.

But this kind of invasion of privacy is exactly why nurses loathe SEIU.

[RedZeppelinRN]

Originally Posted by Ludlow

I think SEIU got our names from the state BRN. I received a call last week. I was amazed that the caller didn't know any of the background surrounding the survey questions he was asking. I later found out that he was a minimum wage telemarketer that SEIU hired to do these "push polling" kinds of things---someone who probably doesn't have benefits or a decent wage working for SEIU---what irony!

Does the BRN have our email address? I didn't get an email from them. I don't know how they got that kind of private information.

After I found out that these telemarketers were not SEIU organizers, but minimum wage workers, I felt bad that I had given mine an earful.

But this kind of invasion of privacy is exactly why nurses loathe SEIU.

You know, now that you asked, I am not sure they emailed me. I think he suggested that I visit the website "shame on cna." But I am po'd that the BRN gave them our phone numbers. Minimum wage telemarkets. How professional! I'd really love to join a union like that, wouldn't you?

Red

[RedZeppelinRN]

Originally Posted by RedZeppelinRN

You know, now that you asked, I am not sure they emailed me. I think he suggested that I visit the website "shame on cna." But I am po'd that the BRN gave them our phone numbers. Minimum wage telemarkets. How professional! I'd really love to join a union like that, wouldn't you?

Red

P.S. Doesn't the fact the HSA is part of the union give the nurses a clue?
Red

[RN4MERCY]

As far as I can tell, they didn't have a union at the CHP facilities in Ohio. The bosses filed for an election and only SEIU or vote No union was on the ballot. Then the bosses called off the election at the behest of SEIU when they realized the nurses were going to vote no. They're blaming everyone but themselves; so immature and disingenuous.

The bosses win in a partnership; the patients and their nurses would be the biggest losers in such a scheme. Check out this video made by SEIU RNs in Nevada:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cgue...rg/seiu-watch/

As for the phone calls, I think it's a shame they waste their members' dues on that kind of disinformation campaign. No wonder so many members like the Nevada nurses in the video want out.

[caliotter3]

When SEIU attempted to unionize my home health agency employer a few years ago, members of the organizing committee and union members started to harass employees and clients with unsolicited visits, phone calls, etc. They actually went to patient homes when employees were there. The employer was barraged by requests from employees who were being bothered after expressing their desire not to be contacted, for assistance in stopping the behavior. The patient families complained. The employer contacted the union and informed them there would be police involvement and legal action. The behavior toned down prior to the election. However, it never fully stopped. The employer sent letters to the employees telling them to call the police should they be approached at patient homes or otherwise.

The home addresses of the nurses were provided to the union by the State Boards. This practice is common. The mailing lists can be bought by any organization if they follow the requirements of the Board. A member of the Board provided information that individual nurses could send a written request to the Board to keep their contact info confidential. I forget the phrase that was used. However, the Board representative warned that getting placed on the"confidential" list would also prevent a nurse from receiving other info that might be beneficial to the nurse. If anyone wants to stop their contact info from being made available to the public, I suggest they contact their State Board, in writing, and make this request. This is also good advice to nurses who find themselves on the receiving end of stalking behavior, although any stalker will find easier ways of finding out the whereabouts of their prey.

[carebearRN08]

I'm sorry that you've had bad experiences with SEIU. I am a member of SEIU and thanks to the union we have no mandatory overtime, fair employee advancement, free medical/dental/vision, a pension plan, more PTO and a cushion between the floor nurses and management. I am not trying to toot anyone's horn, but I'm happy and proud to be a part of this union. Too bad they have people calling nurses at home, like telemarketers do, and I can understand how that would taint your image of SEIU.

[RedZeppelinRN]

Originally Posted by carebearRN08

I'm sorry that you've had bad experiences with SEIU. I am a member of SEIU and thanks to the union we have no mandatory overtime, fair employee advancement, free medical/dental/vision, a pension plan, more PTO and a cushion between the floor nurses and management. I am not trying to toot anyone's horn, but I'm happy and proud to be a part of this union. Too bad they have people calling nurses at home, like telemarketers do, and I can understand how that would taint your image of SEIU.

well, it is good to see something positive. I'm glad for you. It's hard to really know what's happening sometimes when there is so much mud slinging going around.

[carebearRN08]

Originally Posted by RedZeppelinRN

well, it is good to see something positive. I'm glad for you. It's hard to really know what's happening sometimes when there is so much mud slinging going around.

Just this week we've had CNA on site, passing around their brochures and trying to bust up our union. Its a little too coincidental that we are in bargaining right now. So yes, it is a little hard to know what's happening sometimes, I always thought CNA was good until I heard what they did in Ohio....