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What do nursing unions do?




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Feb 17, 2005 09:40 PM

What do nursing unions do?


I know there has been a lot of talk about unions lately. Exactly what do they do for nurses?

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73 Comments:

No. 1
from lllliv
Old Feb 17, 2005, 11:57 PM

well, it depends on the strength of your union.

they are supposed to be able to negotiate good contracts for workers, like more money, more staff, etc...

they are available to assist in problems with scheduling, requested time off, floating issues,complaints against you, seniority issues, etc...

they have many duties. they are there to make sure the contract between the employees and the hospital is followed.
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No. 2
from alanpe
Old Feb 18, 2005, 03:24 AM

Default an importan role.
An important role, the future of nurses depends of the stronghess of Union and Associations greater than other supports.

Regards.



Originally Posted by lllliv
well, it depends on the strength of your union.

they are supposed to be able to negotiate good contracts for workers, like more money, more staff, etc...

they are available to assist in problems with scheduling, requested time off, floating issues,complaints against you, seniority issues, etc...

they have many duties. they are there to make sure the contract between the employees and the hospital is followed.
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No. 3
Old Feb 18, 2005, 03:33 AM

Here in the UK it is very unusual for a nurse (qualified) not to be in a union. I know it is different in the US - perhaps that is why we have much better holiday entitlemnt (oops spelling) - aprox 7 weeks including bank holidays.
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No. 4
from teeituptom
Old Feb 18, 2005, 08:31 AM

Unions promote a dictatorship of medicocrity
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No. 5
from begalli
Old Feb 18, 2005, 11:14 AM

I'm proud of the union I belong to. They work hard for us.


Here's the Table of Contents of my union contract book:

1. Rocignition and coverage
2. No discrimination
3. Exclusive agreement, amnedments, terms of agreement
4. Offical communications, requests for information and meetings
5. Union security and dues deduction
6. Classification and compensation procedures for staff nurses
7. Compensation
8. Classification and compensation procedures for staff nurses
9. Benefits
10. Educational assistance and professional enrichment - staff nurses
11. Relief nurse program
12. Temporary assignments/floating
13. Weekend staffing
14. Shifts and shift rotation
15. Leaves of absence - staff nurses
16. Christmas and New Years holiday
17. Jury Duty and legal appearances - staff nurses
18. Time off for union officers
19. Advance transfer requests
20. Payroll procedures
21. Nurse information centers
22. Performance evaluation - staff and relief nurses
23. Written warning and discipline
24. Grievance and arbitration
25. No strikes or lockout
26. Notice of personnel guidelines and procedure changes
27. Joint conferences
28. Nurse practice committee
29. SPecial conferences
30. Health, welfare and safety
31. Senority accural and application - staff nurses
32. Staff reductions and layoff
33. Home health care
34. Reserve rights of _____ Hospital
35. Separability and saving clause
Signature page
Wage schedule
Glossary

Our union is able negotiate an excellent pay with excellent benefits and empowers us to at least have a say in the way we conduct ourselves professionally in OUR jobs.

I feel for what we get, they are definitely worth the $30/month.
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No. 6
Old Feb 18, 2005, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by teeituptom
Unions promote a dictatorship of medicocrity
WHAT!!!!
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No. 7
from Spidey's mom allnurses Guide
Old Feb 18, 2005, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by teeituptom
Unions promote a dictatorship of medicocrity

Agree!!

steph
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No. 8
from SmilingBluEyes Staff
Old Feb 18, 2005, 02:04 PM

Wow I don't work with mediocre nurses. I am in no way mediocre either. Hiring practices are pretty stringent in the unionized hospitals where I have worked here on the West Coast. Gee, then, I guess that does not apply to all unions eh.
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No. 9
from Spidey's mom allnurses Guide
Old Feb 18, 2005, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by SmilingBluEyes
Wow I don't work with mediocre nurses. I am in no way mediocre either. Hiring practices are pretty stringent in the unionized hospitals where I have worked here on the West Coast. Gee, then, I guess that does not apply to all unions eh.
You are right. Just gotta love Tom and his bluntness.

steph
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