[soundsLikesirens]

During my job orientation this week, one of the staff remarked that CA is the only state that isn't a "right to work" state for nurses....why not? Do they have a nursing union?

[oramar]

That maybe an incorrect statement, last time I heard Pa. was an open shop state. Open shop meaning you do not have do belong to the union if the shop is unionized when you first start working there but you have to join within a specific time period. It also means that if the union gets in everyone has to join whether they like it or not. I think right to work states give the individual person the choice to join or not to join. Don't take this to mean I am anti union, I like the open shop concept and most of my family are in unions. I got this info by easedropping on the conversations of people I know who are in unions so I could be wrong about what I heard. They say that closed shops are places where you have to be in the union the day you start working. Plumbers, carpenters, steamfitters and boilermakers people with high wages, excellent benefits, comfortable pensions and retirement funds. Mostly I envy their e-boards and grievence committees, nobody ever craps on them. There are draw backs but from what I see it is worth it.

[pickledpepperRN]

There are many unions here. The CNA negotiates according to the wishes of the nurses. Some want "closed shop" because all pay for the contract that improves their working conditions. Others like a "Grandfathered union shop" so those whe hired at the facility without a union may choose whether to join while new hires may choose whether to work in a union enviornment. Anyone with religious reasons not to belong to a union may pay their dues to a charity instead.
An example of why I don't like open shop is the nurse who got >$10,000.00 back wages because she was not paid for negotiated differentials and raises. She still did not join the union! She bragged, "I get all the benefits for free."
Of course with any negotiations there is no guarantee of getting all you want so there are "open shop" contracts that let some "Get the benefits for free." The same management that does not respect nursing work, won't pay overtime, etc. becomes very concerned that nurses may have to pay dues. They have their "Union" the AHA. Why not nurses?
It was not free for her, people told her what they thought and she finally joined.
Many still resent that attitude since their dues money paid for her representation.
PS:Usually the worst managements end up with a union. Nurses don't go to the trouble if treated fairly and allowed to give good care.