Agency nurse and the potential local strike!

clee1 · Mar 2, 2006

Ultimately, you have to do what is right for yourself and your family.

You are not a union staff employee; you have no legal or moral obligation to support a strike you had no vote in calling. Strikes are never any fun for anyone involved, but you shouldn't feel pressured to follow the rest of the pack.

Brita01 · Mar 2, 2006

Since you're agency, is there another hospital or other facility that the agency can send you to? I'm just thinking of the possible hostile working environment that could exist when the strike is over, and you have to work with these same nurses who watched you cross the picket line.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Mar 2, 2006

I live in a very rural area and it is a long drive to the closest hospital...so I work at that one exclusively.

I am well liked thank goodness...they are even thinking of buying out my contract and having me work there full time.

I think if I support them, yet tell them I have to work and why...they will understand very well. I know they will be very worried about their patients, and having me help the patients may be a good thing since they know and like me very much. I am sure that a few of them will not be able to stike either due to financial reasons....

Just a sticky situation..thanks for your comments..keep them comming! :)

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2006

That is an iffy place to be in, but who will pay your bills? No one. Only choice is to work.

gr8rnpjt, RN · Mar 3, 2006

Maybe a sign inside the car window, something with your company name, so they know you are not a scab, but a contracted employee who needs her job to pay the bills.

I used to work on site at different hospitals for an insurance company. Any time I had to cross picket lines, I made sure I had the company logo on my car.

Maybe a little sign saying, "this (your company name) agency nurse supports the nurses of "brand X" hospital and the issues involved."

MomNRN, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2006

While I can fully understand your need to pay your bills, trust me - they will not forget easily. Remember they are going without a paycheck too!

I was involved in a strike 2 years ago. It got very ugly and scars remain to this day. There is nothing you can say that will make them understand your perspective.

The scabs are considered the enemy. For those poor souls who crossed the picket line, it was very loud, very personal, and a hostile environment.

I feel for you. It is a difficult decision to make.

MarcusKspn · Mar 3, 2006

I don't think there should be a problem with you crossing the line. They are striking for "THEIR" contracts, "THEIR" benefits. You are not an employee for the hospital, you are not affected by their contracts, you gain no benefits if they get what they want. You work for an agency, an impartial party to the strike. Go to work, let your friends know you support them, let them know that you hope they will win and that you will take good care of their patients for them while they are fighting the man.

nursing 101 · Mar 4, 2006

You are in a danmed if you do and danmed if you don't situation:uhoh3: . But me personally I would not cross that picket line bills or no bills. Because as someone said these co-workers will never forget unless you go to another floor after the strike is over. I know I wouldn't! Yeah you are not part of the hospital you are agency but you have to work with these people and at the end of the day the agency will not be there to defend you either. They are not the one entering the facility, you are. You are the one these co-workers know and worked with. The agency is just trying to make a buck. I would never cross a picket line but this is just me!

Please think about this carefully as you have said that this is the only closest hospital in your area. You might end up looking for another job anyway after the strike because most co-workers won't make it easy for you.

You have also said that the hospital might buy out your contract, do you think a nurse manager would hire you after crossing the line? (Just food for thought).

So please think about this and keep us posted

Nella · Mar 4, 2006

It's tough. You are trying to pit income you need against principles and what you believe in..........tough call.

I personally do not cross picket lines, especially if I am familiar w/ the issues and believe in the reasons strikers are walking the line. It may be their issues, but if I cross a picket line, I have taken an action that directly undermines them.

Hope for the best. Maybe the strike will be settled quickly.

SFCardiacRN · Mar 4, 2006

You WILL ruin your future there if you cross picket lines! The union nurses won't forget and won't understand. If your current employer can't understand,change agencies. You need to go to another hospital while the strike is on.

tencat · Mar 4, 2006

It would be worth it to travel to another hospital, at least while the strike is going on. Those who walk picket lines don't forgive and forget. You will ruin your chances of being able to work at that hospital in a safe environment again. You won't be able to trust those you work with if you cross the line.