IS there a UNION for CNA/PCT's? (future LPN)

[Lovemed]

Hi All - I'm hoping to pass my CNA state boards on 1/13 and I will go on to LPN and keep going up. I'm in NY state in Westchester County and I heard from some local LPN students that they belong to a union that helps them a great deal with a lot of things. Any info would be very much appreciated!!

[amoLucia]

CNAs are very freq unionized. If I recall all my past LTC positions, the CNAs were all union, except for 1 Catholic facility. (Religion-based facilities seem NOT to unionize as much as the more secular ones.) And the hospitals I worked were also union.

LPNs are also likely to unionize, altho not quite as freq as the CNAs.

CNAs were included with the dietary, hskpg and laundry staff in the same bargaining unit.

I've only worked 1 place where RNs were union (civil service). I believe that it usually has something to do with the Admin BROADLY classifying RNs as 'supervisory' (and 'supervisors' are usually exempted from unionization). Some places also hold LPNs to that same standard, esp in LTC where all licensed staff nurses are responsible for 'supervising pt care rendered by CNAs'.

A union is only as strong as its contract - some are stronger than others. And some are more contentious and militant than others. All depends.

One thing to remember about unions - they represent their membership but they seek to represent 'good' employees. They are not 'lawyers' for an employee. They will support the employee when contract issues are concerned. 'Bad' employees are 'bad news' for the good unions.

I will admit that I am unfamiliar with PCTs and unionization.