Do we need a union? Management is taking advantage of us.

CantDecideUsername · Aug 8, 2014

You're story sounds eerily similar to the things I'm hearing in my neck of the woods.

Hospitals are cutting back on practically EVERYTHING, which stretches the nurses to the limit, and sadly there have been many pay cuts for nurses in my area (the hospital I'm referring to has also scaled most nurses to part time so they don't have to give them benefits either)

I'm not a huge fan of unions, but obviously in some cases it really is necessary!

Windynurse · Aug 8, 2014

Yeah. I did some research. I was very disappointed to find that our hospital system has spent millions of dollars on consultants to push the anti-union agenda. That money could have been used to take better care of nurses and patients. I am just wondering if anyone knows what, if there is anything we should do at this point. No one wants to go to work anymore because it is so stressful.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Aug 10, 2014

Post has been moved to nursing activism from the distance learning forum to encourage responses. :)

toomuchbaloney · Aug 10, 2014

My guess would be that the hospital system is spending big bucks to keep the unions out while they have cut back on everything EXCEPT the salaries of the executive suite where those decisions are made. Google the compensation package for the CEO of the health system you work for, it will be eye opening.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2014

If a union came to my facility, I would vote yes.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Aug 11, 2014

It is against Federal law to actively prevent workers from organizing. They can only impose existing policies.. cannot create any new ones specifically designed to combat pro-union activity. For instance: They cannot prohibit passing out union leaflets unless they impose the same restrictions on all other types of non-sanctioned materials like Avon catalogues, school sales, etc.

Recently, I have heard several instances of public figures referring to nurses as "the Auto Workers of the 21 Century" - warning of significant labor unrest & collective actions that may be on the horizon. There's one big difference -- they can't 'offshore' our work to another country. It's certainly something to think about.

Kissunshine, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP · Aug 12, 2014

I wonder what is the downside of having nurse union? Here in Canada all nurses are unionized, so It was quite a surprise for me that it is not the case in the States.

toomuchbaloney · Aug 13, 2014

I wonder what is the downside of having nurse union? Here in Canada all nurses are unionized, so It was quite a surprise for me that it is not the case in the States.

In my view there is no downside for the individual nursing professional. There is, however, the perception that unionized nurses are bad for the "free market" and for profit health care providers who seek to create wealth by limiting care. Further, there is a very "pro-business" attitude amongst many of our conservative legislators who believe that business must be protected/insulated from the needs/wants/rights of the people who work for them.

loriangel14, RN · Aug 13, 2014

I wonder what is the downside of having nurse union? Here in Canada all nurses are unionized, so It was quite a surprise for me that it is not the case in the States.

Not ALL nurses in Canada are unionized. There are places like clinics and home care agencies that aren't unionized.

Yes it sounds like the OP needs a union.

Kissunshine, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP · Aug 13, 2014

Oops, sorry, yeah agencies and clinics are not unfortunately. But large hospitals and nursing homes are.

caliotter3 · Aug 13, 2014

I worked for an employer where a union organizing effort took place. It created problems that were not even anticipated and the aftermath was not pleasant at all. The damage left behind caused many people to leave of their own accord. Nobody won.