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.

[Dexterosa]

I feel your pain. Same here. And we do not have an union!!! However what we have is to - sign in for holidays for next year and half ahead. (I even do not know what I will do in next few months.... I guess my life have to be centered around a holiday schedule.)

I don't think it is fair. But there is not much we can do.

People usually think, if they put behind their name the "senior" it gives them some sort of validation. Obviously they need it. If they would not, anyone would know they are just good. But they are not, so they need a "senior" to ive them respect and validation. And extra rights for abuse :)

Abuse of power is everywhere.

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

Your unions sound wierd. I'm a member of a union which is national and it has nothing to do with how holidays are allocated. Those are done within each facility and the responsibility of the clinical manager.

I'm going through a tough one with a vindictive manager, my union are assisting me to hold this woman accountable for her crappy actions. Regardless I'm looking for a new job however we have alot of immigrant workers who are being victimised by this woman and if me perusing this helps her think twice before doing it to them then its worth it

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Unions are certainly not without their issues, but when I was unionized I had:

1) excellent wages and benefits

2) cost of living increases yearly

3) lump sum payment yearly

4) paid leave days

5) fair disciplinary process

6) transparent wage grid, paid according to years experience, not an arbitrary wage

With non unionized environments, there is too much left to the employer's discretion.

[bgxyrnf, MSN, RN]

Why Unions Don't Suck!

1) $69/hr base + $11/hr NOC diff

2) Defined-benefit pension

3) Free health insurance for the family with, count it... $5 copay and no deductible

4) Well-defined set of work rules, including a standardized grievance process

5) No at-will employment

6) 4:1 patient-to-nurse ratio

It's a reasonable trade-off to me.

[LouPagsBSN]

I hate, despise and detest unions. And I make no bones about it.

You should be kissing the ground the union walks on ... Go down south united states to a non union hospital ... you'll be praying for a union ... you do realize that youre complaining about VACATION ... Next youll be complaining about mandatory raises, great benefits and top pay ....

[ShenaPinelox]

You bet it. They are the real curse to our society. On one side, workers are getting nuked by the higher management. And on the other side, they are getting the bait from the union, that only take care of the people in the higher ranks.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I will tell you guys what. The minute the unions do something that benefits me I will change my tune admit that they do do good. But until that point I don't foresee my opinion changing.

Unions have some safeguards in place. However, no union can prevent lay offs and other tactics used to get rid of the most senior nurses.

So don't despair, as soon as those senior nurses clinically teach the newer nurses, they will be let go, and before long you will be most senior.....

And when that happens, will you be so extreme in your dislike?

[Ruger8mm]

Also, it's pretty lame to take a union job if you're so anti-union. Move. Find another job. Isn't that what personal responsibility is about? Quit whining and change your own situation. You get zero sympathy on this one newbie. Gotta pay your dues. You don't seem to care about anyones else's situation, or how many years they've given to have that seniority. Why would you then ask for people's sympathy about you situation? You get none.

I'm in the town I want to be in. Family living close will do that. Regarding the others...forget them. I've got my own to look out for.

[Ruger8mm]

You should be kissing the ground the union walks on ... Go down south united states to a non union hospital ... you'll be praying for a union ... you do realize that youre complaining about VACATION ... Next youll be complaining about mandatory raises, great benefits and top pay ....

Your kidding right! I wouldn't even walk in a union Hall, let alone worship them.

[Ruger8mm]

Unions have some safeguards in place. However, no union can prevent lay offs and other tactics used to get rid of the most senior nurses.

So don't despair, as soon as those senior nurses clinically teach the newer nurses, they will be let go, and before long you will be most senior.....

And when that happens, will you be so extreme in your dislike?

Yes. My primary dislike for unions is their protection of the incompetent and lazy employee. That will still exist when I'm senior.

That and some of the craziness you'll see in the railroad Union, automaker Union and mining unions. It's nuts what perks these guys get and what money is wasted.

My best friend works for a railroad company. You should hear the incredible perks those guys get. Now that's a powerful union.

[mamagui]

Why Unions Don't Suck!

1) $69/hr base + $11/hr NOC diff

2) Defined-benefit pension

3) Free health insurance for the family with, count it... $5 copay and no deductible

4) Well-defined set of work rules, including a standardized grievance process

5) No at-will employment

6) 4:1 patient-to-nurse ratio

It's a reasonable trade-off to me.

WOW! Please bring unions to the South! There is a large airplane manufacturer in my community whose Machinists Union tried to establish itself here and was literally run off by crazy right-to-work Southerners. The union representatives left a couple of days before the vote because they were being threatened at gunpoint.

OP needs to really step back and get some perspective.

[heron, ASN, RN]

OP is doing exactly what he was trained to do: sacrifice his own self-interest to that of the facility owners.

Since that doesn't make any rational sense, the anti-union argument depends heavily on pejorative labeling and the emotions it evokes.