Union vs. Nonunion-Worth Dues Paid?

fergus51 · Jan 17, 2004

I don't know exactly what I pay, I'd have to look at a paycheque, but in my case it is worth it. We have a good union and I choose to work where there is a union. There are a lot of threads on this bb about it, but my personal experiences have made me prefer unionized work environments. That doesn't mean I think there aren't good workplaces without unions, I just prefer places with them. Other nurses feel differently.

If the union sucks, it's generally because the nurses aren't that involved. It can be time consuming, but it is completely possible to change unions from within. I have seen it happen.

-jt · Jan 17, 2004

Just 1.6% of the lowest starting salary in my region of the state. It's paid thru a once-a-month payroll deduction. And it comes right back to us in services.

It pays for all the usual union services and representation, contract negotiations as well as collective actions, grievances and arbitrations when the employer violates the contract & our rights. It pays for a protected action fund for nurses in need. It pays for attorneys and legal fees (including legal representation when a nurse gets hauled into court). It pays for all our state association programs like the Peer Assistance program to help addicted nurses regain their lives. It pays for our state legislative agenda, lobbying for healthcare and nurses bills/issues/laws. It pays for our state association's work, library, continuing ed workshops, nursing's national legislative agenda and programs, and everything you see on our state association website (including the website itself) http://www.NYSNA.org

Since all of that helps give RNs a powerful, strong voice in our workplace and in our state, I think it's money well spent & well worth it.

Joe Hill · Jan 17, 2004

Originally posted by allsmiles
Which do you prefer: Union or non-Union hospitals?

To paraphrase Winston Churchhill, a unionized hospital is the worst kind of employment except for all those others....

For example, in a unionized hospital you have a legal contract protecting you, which cannot be changed without negotiations. In a non-union hospital you are an at will employee, not only can your working conditions be changed without notice, but you can be let go without cause.

Originally posted by allsmiles
If you work for a union hospital, how much do you pay in dues, and is it worth it?

I work in a unionized facility, and I pay about $0.37 per hour dues. This an small price to pay for better pay, benefits and peace of mind.

Originally posted by fergus51

If the union sucks, it's generally because the nurses aren't that involved. It can be time consuming, but it is completely possible to change unions from within. I have seen it happen.

To quote my father, a veteran of the River Rouge Strike, (yeah, I know this makes me an old person) "A Union can only be as strong as it's members!" It takes work and some dedication from the union membership to accomplish anything.

Speculating · Jan 17, 2004

Originally posted by -jt

Just 1.6% of my annual salary. It's paid thru a once-a-month payroll deduction.

And it pays for all the usual union services and representation, contract negotiations, collective actions, grievances and arbitrations when the employer violates the contract & our rights. It pays for a protected action fund for nurses in need. It pays for attorneys and legal fees (including legal representation when a nurse gets hauled into court). It pays for all our state association programs like the Peer Assistance program to help addicted nurses regain their lives. It pays for our state legislative agenda, lobbying for healthcare and nurses bills/issues/laws. It pays for our state association programs, library, continuing ed workshops, our national legislative agenda and programs, and everything you see on our state association website (including the website itself) http://www.NYSNA.org

Since all of that helps give RNs a powerful, strong voice in my
state, I think it's money well spent & well worth it.

I would certainly work union if I had the opportunity, but down here in Florida union work for nurses is all most unheard of. And, trying to get union into a hospital that doesn't all ready have it can have devastating effects on your career.

fergus51 · Jan 18, 2004

I just checked. I paid 51$ out of my last paycheque (I worked 71 hours in that pay period, so you do the math).

-jt · Jan 18, 2004

I cant tell you how many nurses I work with who would love to move down to Florida - its all they talk about. When asked whats stopping them, they all say "there's no union". Being union is probably just as ingrained in our blood & mentality up here as being non-union is down there. :)

You guys have it tough. As stated by the national labor union for RNs - the United American Nurses/AFL-CIO (UAN) - >

Yet, nurses in those states are unionizing. There are several unions already representing nurses in Florida - including the UAN.

RNs in "right to work" states can find more info and contacts at: http://www.uannurse.org/uan/sna.htm

Gldngrl · Jan 18, 2004

1997-1999, in my unionized hosp. was $28/mo in dues...yes, yes, yes, definitely worth it.

jt, you're right, despite the uphill challenge in right to work states, there still is the opportunity to unionize. That being said however, some states will never "allow" it in that they will do everything to block it and as you know, the NLRA lacks the "teeth" of enforcement power and the courts in some of the right to work states downright favour employers and some of the state nursing associations are against unions as well.

But, we continue to fight.

MidMissouriRN · Jan 18, 2004

This is great information. The only negative information I ever hear is from the scared nurse who are not represented by a union. I am working personally on getting a union presence hear in Columbia. I have networked with fellow RN's, MONA, and UAN. I believe if we can organize here in the central of the state, then the two big Metropolitans, St. Lou and KC will follow.

Has anyone been on the ground floor of organizing? What can I expect in resistance?

http://www.uannurse.org/uan/sna.htm is a great resource.

MidMissouriRN · Jan 18, 2004

wjf00 · Jan 18, 2004

Personally, I would never again work for a non-union hospital. I have said it in another thread but it is worth repeating: Unions are a democracy, if you don't like how they are being run you can vote out the offending parties. But if your manager is incompetent, TOO BAD FOR YOU! Unions protect you from bad managers.

RoxyBen · Jan 18, 2004

I've worked at non-union and union hospitals and I'll take a non-union place any day. Unions DO work to elevate RN salaries and for that I am eternally grateful but there seems to always be a downside...mediocrity! In non-union hospitals nurses advance on merit not just seniority. There's too much "dead wood" in union hospitals who rely on their seniority rather than their initiative. Plus, I've never witnessed a nurse fired without cause in a non-union hospital or clinic. These institutions have a grievance procedure that mimics the union hospitals.

Unfortunately, very little of this matters since nurses can't seem to stay united. The clash between the nurses who perceive themselves in a vocation and those that perceive themselves in a profession seems to remain.

And so it goes...