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| No. 100 | 
Dec 30, 2008, 10:33 AM
 Re: Descrimination: A full hot meal or soup and a sandwich
You can leave and get food but you aren't going to get your $2/week back it's part of the union contract.
Had to look up Monopolies and Mergers Commission. It seems to be a U.K agency with the equivalent being the FTC in the U.S. Not sure what the FTC would be able to do for us? Originally Posted by Mr Ian  Have you contacted the monopolies and mergers commission? 
What happens if you say you aren't going to pay? Are you allowed to leave to go get food?  | | Advertisement Sponsored Links | | | | No. 101 |
Dec 30, 2008, 10:44 AM
Re: Descrimination: A full hot meal or soup and a sandwich Originally Posted by MAISY, RN-ER My union is worse than useless! Negotiated contracts(on which we always lose something), are not honored and nothing is done about it! I am sorry, I need my union dues in my pocket, more than this half a$$ed group does. It doesn't matter who says what, they are terrible! Positions are being eliminated, staffing is horrible, and I am not paid what I could've been paid at other hospitals. I work, where I work because I liked the people-otherwise it would never have happened!
Unions had their place, but as we see with the car industry...police...and others we lose when others make money for sometimes not working, getting paid forever for others, and the ability to work o/t for a few years and retiring with huge amounts. This also goes for unused time off-obviously if it couldn't be used...itoo much was given!
NJ in particular suffers from one of the highest property taxes due to government workers unions draining us dry, this includes fire, police, and especially the schools. While I agree some teachers should be paid well, there is no measure on their productivity and I resent paying them six figures and a great retirement.
So sorry for the union rant....I still say they are lucky to be able to eat at a scheduled time and always know they will get it. For the rest of us, we can't just walk off the floor. Somehow I don't even think the union nurses with "great" environments would appreciate the whistle blowing while they were having an MI! "Oh too bad, got to get my cup of Joe....do you think you can hang for 15?"
I'm sorry to disagree with you, Maisy, but this is the classic "I don't get it so nobody else should get it either" mentality that employers take advantage of.
My grandpa (steelworker, union organizer, union officer, and great observer of people) had a great saying: "People generally think, 'Everyone makes too much money but me.'" Employees at the OP's workplace are not "lucky" to have a scheduled meal time -- it's those of us without that guarantee who are allowing ourselves to continue to be "unlucky" to agree to work 8, 10, 12 or more hours without a civilized, physiologically-necessary, and health-promoting meal break.
I'm a homeowner and property taxpayer. I do not begrudge teachers their salaries or benefits - they are shaping the next generation of our society. Have you spent time in a classroom lately? I have. I work in an urban ER and don't think twice about interacting with jail inmates, gang bangers, or mean drunks ... but I know I wouldn't last 30 minutes in many classrooms.
That police officer or firefighter who you resent collecting overtime today -- may tomorrow put down the armed burglar who has entered your home, or extinguish the fire in your attic without hesitating at the risk that he/she may fall through the floor. Courage & commitment to the public good cannot be taught in any program of higher education.
| | No. 103 |
Dec 30, 2008, 11:11 AM
Re: Descrimination: A full hot meal or soup and a sandwich
You are preaching to the wrong person....my grandfather was a cop, my father was a dyed in the wool union supporter and so was I.....that day ended when they told my mother my father's death was considered early retirement...so the 1800.00 per month she would've received became $246.00-dad died 6 months prior to retirement.
My union is useless, the unions I negotiated with when I was in management sent idiots into meetings, and truthfully after meeting my union reps last week I am sure they are among the biggest a$$es of all time! Now I know why our contracts aren't honored, administration knows nothing will happen.
Again, I will state the obvious....my shops when I was in technology were not unionized and my people had the best! The union shops negotiated for crap! My hospital is amongst the lowest wages in the state, others are paying much more-based on knowledge, increasing knowledge, experience and quantifiable qualities.
They had their place, they don't any longer.
| | No. 105 |
Dec 30, 2008, 11:28 AM
Re: Descrimination: A full hot meal or soup and a sandwich Originally Posted by FireStarterRN You mean the union contract requires that employees participate in the food program where you work and pay for it? 
Yes, at $2/week it's almost Dickensian isn't it? 
I know some people are anti-union but I think it depends on the union. I like mine and I hope to secure another position with that same union once I get my RN. I have great (cheap) health insurance, 18 sick days per year, and of course my $2/week meals. I will stick with my union and keep taking my 1 hour lunch breaks and leaving on time if the alternative is keeping my $2/week paying for my own lunch if my employer is merciful enough to allow me to have it upon occasion.
| | No. 107 |
Dec 30, 2008, 11:50 AM
Re: Descrimination: A full hot meal or soup and a sandwich Originally Posted by Stanley-RN2B I didn't realize that employers were required to provide meals for it's employees.
Nice. 
I notice that LTC tends to provide lunch for their employees...at least when I was working there about 15 years ago. We were served lunch as well.
| | No. 108 |
Dec 30, 2008, 12:08 PM
Re: Descrimination: A full hot meal or soup and a sandwich Originally Posted by nursemike That's kinda what struck me about the OP, too. If anything, it would make sense to me to make sure those whose work tends to be more physical get a good meal.
I would also like to commend all who've advised the OP to quit whining on yet another outstanding display of nursing unity. Way to go, team.
I agree with this! Originally Posted by casi This is an interesting thread.
I think that you do have a fairly good argument and I'm interested in seeing how this turns out.
I'm really curious though, if staff have it written in their contract that they can buy a meal from the facility, do they do anything for night shift? Seems to me that they are being discriminated against too.
I have always found that the night shift is mostly ignored, rarely considered during these decisions, which, is a shame. The kitchen is usually closed and they had to fend for themselves or each picked over food left by the previous shifts. Originally Posted by withasmilelpn Many CNAs don't feel valued often. Their's is a low paid job with little respect for what they do. LPNs sometimes feel that way as well. Although it is indeed a 'little thing' in comparison, it is often the sum total of 'little things' that lead you to feel a valued member of your organization. Think how often a simple acknowledgement from a patient or management makes a difference in your day. I wouldn't be surprised if this slight no matter how small, leads to staff turnover. I think that if they are smart, they will either offer to change the times for lunch, return to their previous menu, or yes- only offer a 'soup and sandwich' plan for everybody. My  .
I feel the same. Whether some are union employees and others are not...that isn't important to me. I feel that those who make a bit less money and whose work is definitely more physical and exhaustive...allow them to have the same sort of meal that the others are. If the facility decides to say EVERYONE will get soup and a sandwich, that might actually be fairer to the morale.
| | No. 109 |
Dec 30, 2008, 01:29 PM
Re: Descrimination: A full hot meal or soup and a sandwich Originally Posted by Freedom42 Most American nurses are not unionized.
Is this really true? I know of 1 hospital on Long Island (and there are about 40 of them) whose nurses are nonunion. Obviously I cannot speak for any other areas of the country, but I just thought the majority of nurses in the US were union employees.
Honestly, I can't complain about my union. I think I have one of the best unions in the country. New York State Nurse's Association is my union, and they fight very hard for us and our reps are ALWAYS available to us.
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