any advice on working a strike?

lindarn · Jul 23, 2007

You could be replacing me in a few weeks. We have been without a contract since March 1 and Negotiating since january..
Perhaps, before you become embroiled in such a situation, you should find out why the nurses are striking. From experience I can tell you that nurses do not come to this decision lightly.
We are dealing with the largest cathloic healthcare organization on the west coast (Providence) and Davis Wright and Tremaine--the international law firm that wrote the book for management. We are run ragged for profit -- and can not give safe quality care. Our CBA protects us and gives us a voice in how the ceare will be provided for our patients--
Along with wages issues such as FMLA, meals and breaks, guarenteed shift start times, hours worked and staffing are still on the table.
Is there a reason that you are signing up for this kind of work -- knowing, as you must that you are coming from outside and helping to destabilize the local nurses efforts at improving their working conditions?

It is nice to know that Providence treats ALL OF ITS EMPLOYEES LIKE DIRT, AND NOT JUST THE ONES AT SACRED HEART IN SPOKANE!!

I wish that I lived closer, I would love to join you in the picket line!!

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

offlimits · Aug 4, 2007

Has anyone heard that the nurses at Appalachian Regional Healthcare System are taking a strike vote?

outcomesfirst, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2007

Any nurse who wants to do strike work has to know that it's going to be a hot-button issue. If that's what the nurse wants to do, fine...but then he/she needs to have the spine for it.
I care too much about my fellow nurses who are out there advocating for their co-workers and their pts. I would never take strike work. That's a slap in the face to those who are out there on the line. It's a fallacy to state that people strike over ridiculous issues. The majority of times, strikes are measures of last resort over intolerable work conditions that managment refuses to address. To me, strike breakers just make it easier for management to keep a bad system limping along.
So sorry, I have no sympathy for strike breakers. I'll save my shoulder to cry on for the people who really deserve it...the nurses who have the guts to say "Enough!"

Why would anyone want to work for an organization with such dire circumstances that staff feel a need to "strike" to improve conditions? I am including the strikers and the individuals who cross the line to work in a strike situation and all others employed in a facility with a strike situation - telephone operators to CEO. I have never understood this. I have worked in Union facilities (Closed shop, an oxymoron to the spirit of union!) and nonunion. For me, a professional response, would be to address the concerns, resolve them, or move on - we get what we put up with. If we all step up and refuse, (yes refuse, ie. - not work there no matter what - no media attention, no shouting, no signs, no arguments, no stress, no making others feel responsible/guilty for our actions and choices - what a waste of time, talent and resources!) to work in substandard conditions or for sub-standard remuneration, the profession and the public would be much better off. If it all boils down to money, and it usually does, you are responsible for what you get paid, if you do not like it, move on. I really just don't get it.

pickledpepperRN · Aug 4, 2007

I have worked at the same hospital for more than 30 years.

WE were bought by a for profit corporation that cut staffing in all departments including a lay off of 40% of licensed nurses and 50% of pharmacists.

In response WE unionized.

WE didn't have to go on strike. WE did hold an informational picket proving our willingness to do all WE could to save the high quality of caring for our patients and each other. WE proved WE would strike unles they bargained in good faith.

WE bargained a contract and worked for the safe staffing law.

WE are responsible for the nursing care at OUR hospital and WE control our staffing and WE ensure WE have what we need to care for our patients.

WE are here caring for the people of this community.

The corporation that threatened US is gone.

reesern63, RN · Aug 4, 2007

I have worked at the same hospital for more than 30 years.
WE were bought by a for profit corporation that cut staffing in all departments including a lay off of 40% of licensed nurses and 50% of pharmacists.
In response WE unionized.
WE didn't have to go on strike. WE did hold an informational picket proving our willingness to do all WE could to save the high quality of caring for our patients and each other. WE proved WE would strike unles they bargained in good faith.
WE bargained a contract and worked for the safe staffing law.
WE are responsible for the nursing care at OUR hospital and WE control our staffing and WE ensure WE have what we need to care for our patients.
WE are here caring for the people of this community.
The corporation that threatened US is gone.

Exactly. Why should nurses let corrupt management run them out of a hospital? That is what I don't understand about "outcomesfirst" post. Picking up and moving on may help in the short term, but it doesn't in the long term, and there are frankly too many hospitals that get away with wrong-headed practices. At some point, nurses have to stand up and say "Enough."