Another reason unions suck!

[Ruger8mm]

Trying to get a vacation as a new RN under a union regime is challenging at best. It's all seniority based. So the senior RNs can basically come and go as they choose. But that means the rest of us cannot be off (even though we don't cover each other or know each other's job). Also the silly union made a rule that managers cannot approve vacations to far out. So if someone knows they want a certain week 2 years from now, they cannot secure it and start booking flights or whatever. It's irritating at best.

[bgxyrnf, MSN, RN]

Amen. You only have to be fired as an at-will employee once to appreciate the good the unions do.

Yup... been there, done that... and seen people removed for all kinds of silly reasons.

With the union contracts that I've worked under, both negotiated by the California Nurses Association, I have some predictability about the stability of my job over the coming years. In the 20-some years that I worked as an at-will, salaried chump, I never did.

[AspiringNurseMW]

**facepalm** Did you even read what you wrote?

How can you say there ISN'T a shortage when data indicates there WILL BE IN A NUMBER OF YEARS?

So, there is a shortage, or there will be a shortage? Can't have both at the same time.

There is a shortage of nurses in my unit because my dumbase director won't hire anyone to fill the open slots. We've had 3 managers and well over a dozen staff leave in the last 4 months and have hired 3 new grads. Three new grads can't replace 15 staffmembers.

The only reason there may be a nursing shortage is because the facilities are shorting staff on purpose. There's plenty of nurses, but no one is hiring them. They keep the open slots on the books for budget reasons.

The media can talk until they're blue in the face about a future nursing shortage, but the way facilities are cutting staff, I don't believe it.

There's a MANUFACTURED nursing shortage, not a lack of nurses.

I think shortages are localized, mainly in places where people don't want to live! I for example live in Northeast PA. I think there is a shortage in this area. They are ALWAYS hiring, even into specialties, BSN or ADN. Some hospitals actually still utilize and hire LPNs into inpatient locations.

They actively recruit soon to be new grads in January & February to start working in June.

But this area is constantly on some really sad lists, like cities that get the least amount of sunlight. So people get their 1-2 years of experience and MOVE out of the area completely. Hence, the local shortage.

[Mindful, RN]

I think you are in the wrong union, not all unions reflect the same standards. I personally know of three different unions with totally different qualities. I work for California Nurses Association. In my opinion, they are the best, you might think about moving?

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Before you blame the union, remember that management is the one that also drives the contract as well as your FELLOW NURSES. Yep, that is right. If you don't like what your contract says, then get on the negotiation team and change it.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Someone mentioned unionized hospitals having the same contract language. That is not necessarily true. You can always check your union website and look at other contracts. You most likely will find similar language throughout, but for the most part, your contract is individualized to your hospital.

What nurses need to realize is your union works for you. My union seems to understand that, and we have pushed our agenda on the table even though the union didn't fully back it.

[siegolindoRN]

Interestingly, most nurses who work in a non union environment and are separated from their employment (regardless of reason), change their tune regarding the unionized environment. There is a piece of mind when you can work and just focus on the care of your patients while a designated group of people are dealing with management to improve conditions. Unions / Management are not the entities that create the conflict, its boils down to the leaders at the top and how they want to approach one another; akin to small armies, gangs, clubs, etc. I have been a leader for the last 3 years dealing with 1199 SEIU and NYSNA exclusively in NYC. I have always kept a positive relationship with delegates and shop stewards because at the end of the day, collaboration will yield higher results. Unions in NYC understand some of the operational and financial issues organizations are going through and I attribute that to the recent hospital closures within the last decade along with all the M&A that are occurring as a consequence of the ACA.

[cockadoodie]

This is just great, unions suck, get rid of unions, sure, and the old retired nurses who worked a union job and paid into their pension can lose their pension check and become homeless. The young generation as usual, not bothering to consider the elder. Hows about when you bop into work tomorrow you lay down the law to the nurses close to retirement? Look old lady, screw you, no pension, too bad! These ARE people who collect those pension checks. And oh yes, Ill expect the chapter and verse about finances and the facts on pensions being too expensive....good luck, youngsters, I hope you are FEEDING that 401k every single check, you're going to need the money....

[Mindful, RN]

Thank you, sister!! I appreciate you to take the time to hopefully educate. We need to explain to the young generation "Where would the middle class of America" be today without unions? Would there be an 8-hr day with overtime, minimum wage, Labor Day; I could go on and on with all the human rights we have?! To those who are offended, please do not respond before you educate or research Unions! I don't doubt there are fabulous hospitals in which the RN's and the management have a great working relationship without unions but, it's mainly the directors or managers with whom care. It is the higher kings: the CEO, the CNO that have never provided bed-side nursing. In this hospital, we had a fantastic CEO and CNO for 23 yrs who worked and negotiated with the union in a professional manner. I believe this is unheard of anymore, it's very sad that we all can't think of the pt first and care for the pt, not the all mighty dollar!! Sisters, Don't ever stop caring!!