I'm posting this fast, and don't yet have all the details, but here is what I do know:
CNA just won a representation election for the RNs at Cypress Fairbanks Hospital, a part of the Tenet chain in Houston Texas.
Other than a small number of RNs employed by the federal government, this represents the first unionized nurses in the entire state a very tough organizing environment. It is the first major fruits of a three year statewide campaign.
The election was run under an organizing agreement won at the bargaining table by Tenet nurses in California.
Don't yet have numbers or other details, will make a second post when I do. I've met some of these Texas nurses and they are just the greatest. This is only the first of many organizing victories to come in this state.
Nancy2 if indeed the votes were as you described ie.behind closed doors and not open to all participants to observe , then you and I would work together for decertification !. My experience with the CNA , has been that the votes have been open to legitimate observers , so no fixing could occur .
Unfortunately when you oppose something , you need to get a majority of people to support your position , frankly with nurses , it's like trying to herd monkeys , to get that majority to actually turn up and vote. The problem is not in democracy , it's with the electorate , they have to vote, if they don't like something they have to be willing to work for the desired change .
This is a ploy to uncover my identitiy. The CNA knows me well. I don't think I will continue this line of questioning? Suffice it to say, I have worked under a CNA collective bargaining agreement. Next question?
This is a ploy to uncover my identitiy. The CNA knows me well. I don't think I will continue this line of questioning? Suffice it to say, I have worked under a CNA collective bargaining agreement. Next question?
I could care less what your identity is, and I do not work for CNA or any other union.
I was merely trying to figure out who burned you so bad that you are now so vehemently opposed to any kind of collective bargaining by nurses.
Unions are one tool for workers to organize and attempt to gain input into their working situation. But, they are only 1 tool. I hope this is deeper than a "rejection of all men because you got burned in a past relationship."
I didn't get burned. I just see no value, only increassed difficulty in getting anything done. I am opposed to spending money for things I already own. I have a voice and can use it quite effectively. The union guarentees NOTHING except that it will collect my dues and spend them any way they see fit without my input. I do not agree with many of the things dues money are spent on. Especially with CNA. They just recently paid HCA RNs from all over the country to attend a 3 day workshop. All expenses paid to go to San Francisco. Private hotel rooms, lavish meals. A friend of mine went ans said "we feasted!!" I don't want to pay for other prople's vacations when I barely get my own every other year.
I didn't get burned. I just see no value, only increassed difficulty in getting anything done. I am opposed to spending money for things I already own. I have a voice and can use it quite effectively. The union guarentees NOTHING except that it will collect my dues and spend them any way they see fit without my input. I do not agree with many of the things dues money are spent on. Especially with CNA. They just recently paid HCA RNs from all over the country to attend a 3 day workshop. All expenses paid to go to San Francisco. Private hotel rooms, lavish meals. A friend of mine went ans said "we feasted!!" I don't want to pay for other prople's vacations when I barely get my own every other year.
Its much deeper than having been burned once...
Too bad more nurses are not so self empowered as you seem to be. I am somewhat confused by what you mean when you say "increased difficulty in getting anything done". What is it you wanted to get done that the union prevented you from doing?
I understand the money thing, but many of us pay for things "collectively".
I don't know about the HCA thing, but if it results in a national HCA union, I support it because I have many friends who work in HCA facilities who tell me their ability to "discuss" anything with management is darn near impossible...and the ratios are horrible, as is the pay.
It sounds easy to say if you don't like things, then leave. Unfortunately, many of us are not so lucky.
I think why some people have the attitude displayed by Nancy2 is that they are one of the chosen few , who get what they want , at the cost of everyone else and they know they will not be able to wheel and deal so easily in the future , so rather than lose the little individual power they have , they work against others achieving collective bargaining.
On a corporate level , I cannot understand how these individual nurses think they can bring about systemic change to the corporation , even they have to work collectively ,to gain evidence for any change proposed and have any hope of having that change implemented .
Specializes in He who hesitates is probably right....
I hope that the CNA/NNOC is more effective than some other unions representing RNs around the country. The facility where I work is unionized. We are no better off financially than other RNs in the city, in fact, our pay lags behind some of the non-union facilities. We are supposed to have some advantages in the work rules area, but our union is weak and ineffective. Basically, the hospital agrees to things in the contract, violates them, and the union does nothing. Oh, they do collect 70.00 per month. You are not permitted to opt out of membership (most of the RNs would). If you opt out of the union. you must leave your job.
I hope that the CNA/NNOC is more effective than some other unions representing RNs around the country. The facility where I work is unionized. We are no better off financially than other RNs in the city, in fact, our pay lags behind some of the non-union facilities. We are supposed to have some advantages in the work rules area, but our union is weak and ineffective. Basically, the hospital agrees to things in the contract, violates them, and the union does nothing. Oh, they do collect 70.00 per month. You are not permitted to opt out of membership (most of the RNs would). If you opt out of the union. you must leave your job.
Give the CNA/NNOC a chance. Talk to others in your union and see if there is a critical mass to change. Some unions are actually in cahoots with the facility administrations...CNA is not!
Call the CNA/NNOC when you are ready, I am sure they will be willing to help you.
I think why some people have the attitude displayed by Nancy2 is that they are one of the chosen few , who get what they want , at the cost of everyone else and they know they will not be able to wheel and deal so easily in the future , so rather than lose the little individual power they have , they work against others achieving collective bargaining.
On a corporate level , I cannot understand how these individual nurses think they can bring about systemic change to the corporation , even they have to work collectively ,to gain evidence for any change proposed and have any hope of having that change implemented .
Well, there are some who feel unionizing is beneath nursing and detracts from its professionalism. I would argue that many professions unionize, including police, fire rescue, and airline pilots just to name a few. The most important reason, however, is that many (too many) facility administrations have clearly shown a disregard for patient care and safety in the name of profits. It is up to nursing to function as true patient advocates and demand sfaety, which includes safe staffing levels, on a global level.
I do agree that many nurses, particularly those in specialty areas, feel they are above the fray. They tend to live and work in isolated havens within the facilities, and have little regard for their fellow nurses or their working conditions. They too feel the nurses on med-surg units and tele units are grunts. Nursing, in my experience, is full of cliques like this. Sad situation really.
nicurn001
805 Posts
Nancy2 if indeed the votes were as you described ie.behind closed doors and not open to all participants to observe , then you and I would work together for decertification !. My experience with the CNA , has been that the votes have been open to legitimate observers , so no fixing could occur .
Unfortunately when you oppose something , you need to get a majority of people to support your position , frankly with nurses , it's like trying to herd monkeys , to get that majority to actually turn up and vote. The problem is not in democracy , it's with the electorate , they have to vote, if they don't like something they have to be willing to work for the desired change .