your hospital union and "scare tactics"

[inland18mempire]

To all nurses that work in hospitals that have unions - is your union leader a bit of a nut job that's over the top, like mine?

I ask this because mine seems a little whacky and abrasive. The other day we had a large meeting with our representative (it had to do with some policy changes and such). First off, let me say that, if you accept employment where I work, then you MUST pay the union dues (which are about $80 dollars per month). With that said, there's an option where, for $30 dollars extra (one time I beleive), you can become an "active member" and participate in the meetings and other perks and what not. Our union leader said that she HIGHLY advisies all of us to pay this fee because it includes legal protection for us if we are ever sued by a patient. She then went on to paint this vivid scenario for us. Union leader: "Imagine you, the nurse, walks into the room of a patient to do an assessment. You do everything you're supposed to do. You evaluate the patient in a profesional manner. You walk out. The patient promptly calls the charge nurse and says that she has been fondled inappropriately. Later on, she decides to sue you. Well, if you're an ACTIVE member of our union, you get FREE legal counsel. Our lawyers meet with you, and settle the case. It's a done deal. But let's say you DID NOT have active membership in our union. Well, then I guess you'll be digging into your savings account. Time to fork over about $10,000 for a lawyer. And who knows, your case could go on and on. $10 thousand.....$20 thousand...$30 thousand... the sky is the limit. Can't afford that? Well, I guess you'll have to sell your house, then, won't you? You've lost EVERYTHING. Your savings, your home, your livelihood. ALL of this could have been avoided if you were an active member of our union."

I honestly asked myself "I wonder what the hell this lady has been sniffing?" I can't believe the scare tactics they use just to get a few bucks from its' members! I just want to say that I am pro-union. They have given us fantastic pay rates, mandantory raises, job security/insurance, sick days, holiday pay, PTO, all that good stuff. Of course, management hates the union because they must obide by the contracts. Anyway, just needed to vent!

[cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP]

That sounds kinda fishy to me. I have been a few unions in previous jobs and when I payed union dues (which were mandatory) it made me an active member and entitled me to all of the benefits. I would find out why you have to pay additional funds beyond union dues to be entitled to the benefits of being in the union. What I have heard of before is that if you want extra benefits from the union then you have the opinion of paying additional fees but I've never heard of using scare tactics to get members to pay extra fees.

!Chris

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

It sounds like your union rep is trying to get people to use the union's malpractice insurance.

In interviewed at a union hospital in MA. At that hospital, the union has 2 levels of membership; non-voting members, and voting members (who pay higher dues).

[Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN]

Check the union handbook to see exactly what you are buying with the extra dues and what you are entitled to without the extra dues.

[kcochrane]

It sounds like your union rep is trying to get people to use the union's malpractice insurance.

In interviewed at a union hospital in MA. At that hospital, the union has 2 levels of membership; non-voting members, and voting members (who pay higher dues).

ITA..sounds like they are selling malpractice insurance. For $30 if may be worth it, but I would request some info on just what you are getting. Most policies run about $80-90 yr.

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

This doesn't make sense to me.

But I do think malpractice insurance is a good thing.

I've never been sued but the peace of mind my insurance gives me is worth the premium. It is less than $100.00 a year.