Nurses' Unions

pickledpepperRN · Nov 26, 2007

Right to work=right to work for less.
That said there are studies out there that show that unionized hospitals are higher quality in general than nonunion hospitals.
The social data shows that union friendly states have better economies, health care outcomes, better educational systems and higher HS graduation rates.
As for me I am a union man.

The study is too large to post so here is an article about it.

Xbox Live Addict · Nov 26, 2007

Right to work=right to work for less.
That said there are studies out there that show that unionized hospitals are higher quality in general than nonunion hospitals.
The social data shows that union friendly states have better economies, health care outcomes, better educational systems and higher HS graduation rates.
As for me I am a union man.

Plus - if any jobs ARE created by right-to-work legislation, they tend to be the lowest-paying dead-end jobs, with zero benefits, rather than high-paying jobs or those with potential for advancement. And as far as that goes, most of that kind of business these days goes to China or India. These states are trying to compete against 900 million people willing to work for less than a dollar an hour!

And the Communist Party of China is about as anti-union as it gets...

Sherwood · Nov 26, 2007

I have never seen a need for unions in all my years of nursing. I move to California (to be close to my grandbabies) and there are so many unionized hospitals in Los Angeles. I only want to work per diem and the union bitterness is so sad and unprofessional I may need to look elsewhere for employment. Nearly 24 years at this and it is so disheartening to think about strikes and dues and shop stewards. It is pure madness. I really want to be a nurse, care for those in need and teach the new ones the little tricks I have learned over the years but I am discouraged and may just retire. I even looked in to a job as a nursing instructor at a local college and they have a union too! I can't even refuse to pay the dues! California law requires that I pay money to a group of people I do not believe in, do not support!

Biloxi, I don't know where you live in Los Angeles but have you checked out Cedars Sinai Medical Center? The California Nurses Association attempted to unionize them a few years ago but got booted out by the National Labor Relations Board after an investigation regarding threats by the union proved true. http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/pdf/NLRBDECSION-08-02-04.pdf

Cedars is a great hospital and has Magnet status.

Also, down here in Orange County there are a number of great hospitals both union and non-union. I work at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana and we beat two attempts by the CNA to unionize our hospital. We are a level II trauma center and are a cardiac and stroke receiving center.

I would love to talk to you! Check my info on allnurses.com for a link to my website or leave a message for me here. I would love to help you out and hear about those grandbabies. :welcome::balloons:

Sherwood RN, CCRN

HM2VikingRN, RN · Nov 26, 2007

Sherwood,

The evidence shows that the vast majority of people and professionals do better under a unionized environment. Doctors all belong to a union. What is the AMA? It is an association designed to advance the interests of the medical profession. What is the NFIB? A union to advance the interests of businessman.

The right to belong to a union is guaranteed under the 1st amendment for freedom of association. This doesn't mean that anyone has to join the union as a full member. But I do think that if you are in a union hospital that it is in the interests of the broad group to attend meetings to express your concerns and ideas.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2007

Sherwood,
The evidence shows that the vast majority of people and professionals do better under a unionized environment. Doctors all belong to a union. What is the AMA? It is an association designed to advance the interests of the medical profession. What is the NFIB? A union to advance the interests of businessman.
The right to belong to a union is guaranteed under the 1st amendment for freedom of association. This doesn't mean that anyone has to join the union as a full member. But I do think that if you are in a union hospital that it is in the interests of the broad group to attend meetings to express your concerns and ideas.

"Unions are a Dictatorship of Mass Mediocrity" I forget who it was that said that. But after seeing that, and looking at your statement that the vast majority of people and professionals do better under a unionized enviroment. Are you implying that union masses are best suited for the mediocre. Curious minds want to know.

BTW, I Can't, don't, won't function under the restricted confines of a union. That would cramp my style.

Peace,Love,Golf.

HRLRN · Nov 27, 2007

Studies have shown time and again that institutions with unions have better patient outcomes (and isn't that the most important thing!?!) and more satisfied nurses. Read history and you'll see what life was like before unions. Don't buy the corporate right wing propoganda about unions being bad.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2007

Studies have shown time and again that institutions with unions have better patient outcomes (and isn't that the most important thing!?!) and more satisfied nurses. Read history and you'll see what life was like before unions. Don't buy the corporate right wing propoganda about unions being bad.

Right, are these the studies done by the unions. Uhuh. Unions were significant in ancient history,maybe. Im not sure about that.

pickledpepperRN · Nov 27, 2007

I haven't seen such a study done by a union.

Here is an article about a study. I cannot attach the study because it is too large:

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2007

I haven't seen such a study done by a union.
Here is an article about a study. I cannot attach the study because it is too large:

and the study was paid for by a union or union supporting organization

pickledpepperRN · Nov 27, 2007

and the study was paid for by a union or union supporting organization

One of the authors is from the anti union Organization of Nurse Executives.

Read the study and you will find they try to find another reason for the data.

These are not union people.

And the funding did NOT come from a union.

The University of California is quite difficult, actually insulting to union nurses at its hospitals.

Very anti union.

I thought you liked unions so you could make the big money as a replacement nurse.

Me? I like safe staffing.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2007

One of the authors is from the anti union Organization of Nurse Executives.
Read the study and you will find they try to find another reason for the data.
These are not union people.
And the funding did NOT come from a union.
The University of California is quite difficult, actually insulting to union nurses at its hospitals.
Very anti union.
I thought you liked unions so you could make the big money as a replacement nurse.
Me? I like safe staffing.

I do like strike money.

safe staffing is over rated. Just need safe nurses.

gerry79 · Nov 27, 2007

I do like strike money.
safe staffing is over rated. Just need safe nurses.

I must respectfully disagree. You can be the safest nurse on the planet, but if you are caring for too many people, eventually there will be a bad outcome. It almost happened at my hospital. Senior staff nurse with years of experience, no blemish on her record, taking care of 4 stepdown level patients and 4 "regular" patients with no PCT and no tele tech. The floor was maxed out so all of the nurses were very busy (all had max number of patients). A subtle change of a heart rhythm turned into a nightmare (PT survived but would have been prevented with proper staffing). When the investigation was complete the results were too many patients, not enough staff. The nurse was cleared of any wrong doing and the hospital quickly changed its policy.

In my opinion staffing ratios are highly under rated.

Gerry