Management legally offering union, what does that mean?

Nurses Union

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I've been on my unit for 2 months. I've made several major errors that put me on management's radar. My manager called me into the office and said legally, he must offer me a chance to join my organization's nursing union. I'm not terminated but legally it must be offered to me. What does this mean? Should I join or not join the union? He said I must come up with a decision by tomorrow/

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
My manager called me into the office and said legally, he must offer me a chance to join my organization's nursing union. I'm not terminated but legally it must be offered to me. What does this mean? Should I join or not join the union? He said I must come up with a decision by tomorrow/

Are you sure he didn't say/mean that he needs to offer you union REPRESENTATION?

Because when you were hired, you were likely automatically joined into the union. But any time there is any kind of disciplinary action, the manager has to explicitly offer the employee to have union representation at all disciplinary meetings.

Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

You "WANT" the union representative. You are in all likelihood a member already, otherwise it wouldn't be offered (or are you coming out of 90 day period). Absolutely meet with your union rep before any meetings. The rep will want to go over strategy. They will know what's up. There will be dues, but it's worth it. If anything hits the fan, they will provide a lawyer for you free, but it usually comes down to bargaining/negotiating. Good luck to you.

Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
I've been on my unit for 2 months. I've made several major errors that put me on management's radar. My manager called me into the office and said legally, he must offer me a chance to join my organization's nursing union. I'm not terminated but legally it must be offered to me. What does this mean? Should I join or not join the union? He said I must come up with a decision by tomorrow/

Several major errors should not happen in a nurses entire career. I am way late to this disciplinary action party cuz you are on the fast track out the door.

Assuming you are still working in California where unions are prevalent I agree with a PP that your manager is buffing the paperwork to make sure your exit is smooth and won't muck up the process by saying you didn't have proper representation.

If you decide to stay, 'fess up, admit your mistake, say you're sorry and do your best to convince management it will NEVER happen again.

Since you are afforded the opportunity to have union assistance if you are a member, the employer is offering you the opportunity before they take adverse action that could ultimately involve you losing your job. That way, you can not say that your rights to union representation were withheld by the employer. The employer is covering their posterior and you should take this as a warning that your problem is not minor.

Typically when an organization is associated with a union, all workers must be invited to join. Usually all they do is mention that there is a union and you are welcome to sign up but if you are not a member and management thinks you might be on a path to termination, they will make sure to explicitly offer you membership because most unions offer certain protections from termination.

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