union vs non union

We may see more unionization of hospitals in the next few years, but it may not really be a good thing for nurses. There has been talk in Washington (DC) about eliminating the requirement for secret union ballots. This could increase the number of unionized hospitals.

I am not trying to argue either way for or against unions (it's like arguing Ford and Chevy pickup trucks and which is better); my preference is to be a free agent and make my own decisions. On the other hand, I knew of a guy who was a union organization rep who drove a classic sports car and made decent money. His claim to fame was the number of women he had been with... most of them married.

What a guy!

I have worked for both unionized hospitals and non-union hospitals. I would have to say that I like the non-union hospitals better.

The union can contract for very good wages and benefits, staffing ratios, training, etc., but it all has to be agreed upon by either the employer or decided by arbitration. You can ask for everything under the sun, but it does not mean it will go in your contract. Be careful of what you are going to be promised. With staffing ratios comes mandation (someone has to be there to maintain the ratios).

I had just the opposite experience as the original poster: I was a hard-working new nurse that went above and beyond for my patients. But, because I had no senority, it meant I received all the worst shifts, had to work all the holidays, and was chosen last for all the perks. People with 30 years experience who did the job minimum got everything they wanted. I got mandated at an astronomical rate because I didn't call out once/week like my co-workers did.

When I became a supervisor, the union told me I was now the enemy and stopped talking to me. Teamwork at its finest...so much for valuing professional growth. I would literally have employees who called out sick as much as once/week laugh at me and say, "It's my time, what are you going to do about it? Just give me my verbal warning." Nice. So much for the patients.

This may have been just a bad experience, but I have seen the bad a union can do. I'm not saying it is all bad, and there are certainly some places that could benefit. But, if your workplace is by and large fine, I wouldn't risk it. Just my opinion.

Ain't no way I would sell my rights to speak for myself to a union.

Will you explain what this means?
I don't want to assume.

My nursing career began in 1982. I have seen so much corruption in hospitals here in the Gulf South that it's pathetic. I have worked for two mega hospital corporations and thought they were the ultimate evil, but after working for a Louisiana parish-owned hospital I discovered that the lack of representation for nurses is the biggest evil. In right-to work states, nurses don't have a voice against unfair practices by employers. The only recourse we have when we tire of writing letters, dropping suggestions in the suggestion box, and filling out so-called "Employee Satisfaction Surveys" without seeing one IOTA of change is to find another job.
Have you ever tried to fight against unfair policies or demands?
Does the hospital you work for come up with a new job description almost yearly adding more and more requirements of YOU?
Sometimes a voice is needed to bring sanity to the big management types who have NO EARTHLY IDEA what a nurse actually does!
I only hope I can live to see the day that nursing unions are finally organized here in good ol South Louisiana! I want someone to MAKE my voice be heard!