contract settled

husker-nurse, LPN, LVN · Jul 2, 2004

First of all, I AM a union nurse. But, even if you are anti-union, you may want to read this. I am an RN in Sioux City, Iowa, and, until the last day of our present contract, we were prepared to go on strike for (yes) better wages, insurance, and staffing issues. At the last minute, we agreed to, and overwhelmingly ratified a good contract. What you may find interesting is the fact that the hospital had hired temporary replacement nurses from traveler agencies, who were already sitting in the hotel across the street from the hospital. I just watched the local news, and, according to these same people, the hospital is now fudging on the agreement they had when hired. They further stated that they will probably have to sue the hospital to get the $$ that they were promised. :uhoh21: Fair warning?

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Jul 3, 2004

So glad to hear you got a good contract - and without having to strike. That is wonderful. I still advocate a national union, however. Wouldn't it be nice to get better conditions for all? Plus, it would provide union representation for agency and travel nurses who, unfortunately, seem to get scr*wd over on a fairly regular basis.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Jul 3, 2004

So glad to hear you got a good contract - and without having to strike. That is wonderful. I still advocate a national union, however. Wouldn't it be nice to get better conditions for all? Plus, it would provide union representation for agency and travel nurses who, unfortunately, seem to get scr*wd over on a fairly regular basis.

lovinghands · Jul 3, 2004

I don't live too far from Sioux City - I believe I did some of my med-surg clinicals at the hospital that you work atand the RNs I worked with were great! I heard of the strike possibility last week. Its good to hear an agreement was worked out - how sad the hospital is now trying to screw over the temps. Best Wishes to you!

lovinghands · Jul 3, 2004

I don't live too far from Sioux City - I believe I did some of my med-surg clinicals at the hospital that you work atand the RNs I worked with were great! I heard of the strike possibility last week. Its good to hear an agreement was worked out - how sad the hospital is now trying to screw over the temps. Best Wishes to you!

gracenote · Jul 5, 2004

Hello. I am doing a report on how a strike affects nurses and the profession of nursing. Having trouble finding information. Any ideas from those of you that have been there?

Peggy :uhoh3:

Agnus · Jul 5, 2004

I have nothing against travel nurses. With that said I do have a problem with any nurse who knowingly takes scab assignments. They undermine their own profession.

Scabs are paid phenonimal wages. With the understanding that it could end at any moment. It is part of the risk they take. They did not get screwed as RNICU, and LovingHands suggest. They gambled, at the expence of the core staff, and lost. No sympathy here.

NURSEPATTY · Jul 5, 2004

I have nothing against travel nurses. With that said I do have a problem with any nurse who knowingly takes scab assignments. They undermine their own profession.
Scabs are paid phenonimal wages. With the understanding that it could end at any moment. It is part of the risk they take. They did not get screwed as RNICU, and LovingHands suggest. They gambled, at the expence of the core staff, and lost. No sympathy here.

As an agency nurse myself, I was given the opportunity of going to a local facility in order to staff during their strike,. I vehemently refused;as being from a union family, would not even consider crossing the picket line, not matter how much they offered. They had guaranteed our safety by shuttling us from an undisclosed parking area, but that still wasnt enough to convince me to take the offer. I didnt even ask what they were offering in the way of wages, who would say that they would have kept to this rate after the strike was over. JMHO.........

Agnus · Jul 5, 2004

As an agency nurse myself, I was given the opportunity of going to a local facility in order to staff during their strike,. I vehemently refused;as being from a union family, would not even consider crossing the picket line, not matter how much they offered. They had guaranteed our safety by shuttling us from an undisclosed parking area, but that still wasnt enough to convince me to take the offer. I didnt even ask what they were offering in the way of wages, who would say that they would have kept to this rate after the strike was over. JMHO.........

KUDOS. and my thanks.

NURSEPATTY · Jul 5, 2004

KUDOS. and my thanks.

Your quite welcome, Agnus.:)

-jt · Jul 5, 2004

>>>

"the temps"? You mean the nurses who were so willing to backstab other nurses by crossing their strike line that they were already there chomping at the bit waiting in the wings? No I do not feel sad for them. They have as much sympathy from me as they showed for the nurses they couldnt wait to scab over for the almighty dollar.

They can now all feel free to sue their pimp - the agency that brought them there - 'cause they can be damn sure it already got paid a nice big fat non-refundable retainer fee & deposit from the hospital.

The hospital has to pay the agency whether or not the strike happens. If their agency wont pay the nurses for being there on call, at least those nurses who had no qualms about earning a living in such a way got a free trip out of it. They can consider it an unpaid vacation.

You reap what you sow.