How Many Nurses are Glad They Have a Union

styRN · Jan 9, 2007

I'm the chief operating officer of our union's local, representing RNs in hospitals, LTC, public health and community sectors, and personally work in a LTC facility. I have worked in several non-union environments (was fired from one for cost-savings, but was done unfairly and not by seniority) and singlehandedly organized my current workplace a few years ago to join the Ontario Nurses' Association, so I have a good perspective of both sides, as well as a keen knowledge of what a union can and can't do for a workplace and an individual employee.

I would not work in a non-union environment again, regardless of how amicable the relationship is between employees and management. Good managers can change into bad managers. Good managers leave and are replaced. Without a collective agreement, employers can unilaterally make sweeping changes to your working conditions, salary, benefits, pension, hours of work, patient assignments, area of work...the list is endless. A collective agreement states clearly what the employer can and cannot do without the union's consent, and vice versa. A unionized environment does not make for bad relations between employer/employee, but rather promotes open discussion and creative collaborative solutions to problems, and involves the workers in descision-making.

As for non-union nurses, they still benefit indirectly from the union's efforts in regards to wages, as benefits and working conditions are mirrored closely in non-union workplaces to remain attractive to potential employees. In addition, many unions, including the Ontario Nurses' Association, lobby the government at all levels for changes in health care which affect not only the unionized membes, but non-union workers and the public as well. For example, ONA was integral in getting a recent bill passed making safety-engineered needles mandatory in hospitals and LTC facilities across the province, in addition to countless other successful campaigns to improve the health care delivery system, protect nurses, and also in recruitment and retention activities.

Unionized workplaces, where there are highly functioning union leaders, are safer places to work, both for the client as well as the nurse.

Also, malpractice insurance and Liability Insurance is covered through union dues, in addition to free legal representation in civil and criminal court cases as well as any hearings before your province or state's nurse-licensing/governing body.

lindarn · Jan 9, 2007

I am kind of nervous of unions because of hospitals are not money making businesses, though hospitals need nurses in order to function, I do not want nurses having to strike in order to get their way. Through all this the patients must come first.

I don't agree with you. Please let me explain my point of view. What do you think the hospitals do with the money that they make? They pour it into "capital investments", and then pull the "empty pocket routine", when it comes to the new contract, and the subject of raises and benefits for the employees it addressed. They always have money for the Pet Projects the come up with, but come up short for the nurses that keep them in business.

The "martry mary" mentality has been the downfall of nursing since the beginning of time. It will continue until we make a concerted effort to change our mentality. If the hospital wants/needs nurses to care for the patients, then they can pay the nursing staff appropriate wages and benefits. The needs of the nursing staff need to take priority! We cannot take care of others if we do not take care of ourselves.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

currentlytx · Nov 21, 2007

I think it would be very helpful to nurses out there to know how a union either helped them OR did not help them in their jobs as nurses.Please tell your union story are the union dues worth the protection, did your union rep represent you adequatly? What union do you think has the most clout? Etc, etc. etc.

Hello, I worked at a hospital for 10 yrs that had a union. In my nursing career it was my first experience with unions. Prior to that, I had worked for 10 yrs without one. In comparison, I would vote for a union! But.....it must be a nursing union. Basically, they protect you in dicey situations and disagreements with fellow workers as well as administration! They settle scheduling disputes and the like. I paid approximately $55/pay period. It was alot or seems so, but it was worth it and tax deductible! Like I said I vote yes. I currently work in TX and do not foresee any such organizations here, but there needs to be. Nurses are not treated well here!!!!!

chibear55 · Mar 29, 2008

I Pay Union Dues Because I Have To. I See No Use To Have A Union In Healthcare. I Would Never Strike So Therefore What Is The Use. This Isn't A Factory Tho Sometimes It Feels Like It Lol.

showbizrn · Apr 1, 2008

i pay union dues because i have to. i see no use to have a union in healthcare. i would never strike so therefore what is the use. this isn't a factory tho sometimes it feels like it lol.

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union = factory status????

how about being union staus = unprofessional.

yeah...right!!! :uhoh3:

i work at a small union hospital that's owned by a large nonunion conglomerate that professes to hire staff nurses "at the masters degree level only and so on and so forth..."

anyway, contract negotiation time came and our large nonunion conglomerate put in writing that we union rns were not to discuss any of the details of our union contract with our nonunion rn colleages.

:chuckle:chuckle:chuckle

that was 10 years ago.

today, we veteran union rns are doting over $100,000 annually and where are our nonunions rn-colleagues?

at some masters degree job that won't dare pay a rn that salary but...

we nurses aren't suppose to look at dollars and cents...right:smokin:

nurses' unions for nurses!!!

newdawn_45 · Apr 3, 2008

Union in South Carolina? :nono: :nono: As they are so fond to tell you, "you're lucky to have a job" Ha!

egomaniacal1 · Jun 16, 2008

OMG!! hospitals are not money making businesses? EVEN the so called non profits' bottom line is MONEY, where have you been?I dont mean to be rude but you cant possibly be this naive? Unions are not money making business either then, as they were formed to protect the nurses who care for the patients.I truly cannot believe how there are still nurses out there that dont realize that the patients are the first in line to suffer when the nurses suffer ( shortstaffing, retaliation for reporting illegal/ unethical practices, etc, etc, etc.)YIKES!!!:trout:

Spot on:up:

jreed · Jun 18, 2008

http://www.wvsao.gov/totalcompensation/employeecomp.aspx

A union is needed at CAMC in WV. the staffing ratio is crazy, sometimes 2 RNs for 30 pts at night, many floors have no managers, the managers in charge now, many make double what an experinced RN makes, 110,000, - 130,000, but when an experinced RN seeks an open management position, they are offered only 6% above there base salary, which is exactly what a RN recieves for being the charge nurse,also the clinical ladder pay raises this yr are a joke and many RNs make 10,000--15,000 less than comparable RNs, with unions or in other states,

ThatPoshGirl · Jun 21, 2008

I don't think unions have done much to improve working conditions. We have union and non-union hospitals here in Florida, and it's pretty much the same pay, benes, and problems everywhere you go.

Imagine what it would be like if there were NO union hospitals for the non-union hospitals to compete with. What people don't realize is that everyone ultimately benefits from the union because the union sets a standard that even the non-union hospitals MUST compete with to get quality nurses.

Certainly there are bad unions, just like anything else. If a corrupt person gets in control the whole organization is going to be corrupt. But, in general, a union is there to fight for you and your rights as an employee. If there is no union there is no one to advocate for you and your employer has all the power.

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Jun 24, 2008

Imagine what it would be like if there were NO union hospitals for the non-union hospitals to compete with. What people don't realize is that everyone ultimately benefits from the union because the union sets a standard that even the non-union hospitals MUST compete with to get quality nurses.
Certainly there are bad unions, just like anything else. If a corrupt person gets in control the whole organization is going to be corrupt. But, in general, a union is there to fight for you and your rights as an employee. If there is no union there is no one to advocate for you and your employer has all the power.

In the case of FL unions, I have to agree with ThatPoshGirl, as they're so ineffective that it's better not to have a union.

lindarn · Jun 24, 2008

In the case of FL unions, I have to agree with ThatPoshGirl, as they're so ineffective that it's better not to have a union.

Sounds like Washington State. Our state nurses association is, as we say in Brooklyn, about as useful as tits on a bull! They have done nothing to improve pay, benefits, and working conditions, and were instrumental in allowing the utilization of "Med aides" in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The cost of medical benefits for employees increased 20%. Raises maybe, 5% if the nurses are lucky. You get the picture. You have to wonder whose side they are on. JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

mdfog10 · Jul 1, 2008

I am a proud member of The California Nurses Association. While our members may be happy that we have provided strong leadership---remember that a UNION is YOU and ME! No one can do it alone, you must participate also. It is so easy to complain and reguritate management crap. Have you gone to negotiations?? have you gone to a meeting?? have you asked what you can do??

If you are looking for a vending machine union-----you may just get your money taken and no treat! :coollook: