LVN/LPN unions?

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I've done a search, but haven't found any posts on LVN/LPN unions. Where I work there is talk about forming a union for LVNs, but this union will also include technicians and other non-Registered Nurse health care workers; pharmacy techs, radiology techs, etc. I'd like to know if there are any LVNs/LPNs out there who have formed a union and how you feel about having such a union. I would also like to hear from any nurses who have any experience with SEIU and your opinions about it. Any input would be much appreciated.

i am of the mindset that nurses should stick together be they licensed registered nurses or licensed practical/vocational nurses. when the day comes that nurses in these two categories start working against one another that will be a very sad day indeed.

as a licensed registered nurse who has worked with many fine lpns/lvns over a span of 18 years, i find it insulting to not honor all the fine work and the vast skill levels lpns/lvns bring to the field of healthcare. one of my daughters is an lvn in texas, and she is one sharp nurse.......not because she is my daughter, but because i know a good nurse when i hear one, work with one, see one in action. many lvns/lpns i know put a lot of rns to shame.

nurses pleeeeeezzzz -- stick together. do not continue doing the one thing women are mostly known for in a work environment.........cat fights, back stabbing, trying to always one up one another, ratting on each other, putting each other down for not being this or that.

if it looks like a nurse, acts like a nurse, talks like a nurse, thinks like a nurse, cares for patients like a nurse, works like a nurse, charts their butt off like a nurse.............................it's a nurse..........be it lpn/lvn, or rn!!!! :nurse:

cheers to allllllllllllll nurses everywhere!!! :cheers:

i agree, all nurses must stick together. but the politics and the territorial nature of some nurses and/or nursing associations prevent that from happening.

jenny 99 :) :) :) :)

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
I agree, all nurses must stick together. But the politics and the Territorial nature of some nurses and/or nursing associations prevent that from happening.

jenny 99 :) :) :) :)

Yes, but politics and territorial nature issues are created by nurses. THAT's not sticking together, but choosing to create divisions that continue to weaken us as a strong force to be reckoned with. We need to build the strength. Women are strong people who can make or break many things in their life. We need to stand strong, stand united, choose NOT to be divided, and listen to our own hearts about what we bring to the table of healthcare. Break away from tradition for a change and make all things new between us by supporting one another, standing together like a fence that can't be entered without our permission. We have power we do not utilize because for the most part, our lives are NOT bad enough to fight for something better. Do it for our generation of children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren so they don't have to choose to enter a profession that CHOOSES to remain divided instead of CHOOSING to work together. What a boring profession it would be if we were allllllllllllllll registered nurses or alllllllll practical nurses. We can CHOOSE to be helping hands to one another and stop attacking one another. It's a CHOICE...nothing more. It's got to begin there. :)

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Yes, but politics and territorial nature issues are created by nurses. THAT's not sticking together, but choosing to create divisions that continue to weaken us as a strong force to be reckoned with. We need to build the strength. Women are strong people who can make or break many things in their life. We need to stand strong, stand united, choose NOT to be divided, and listen to our own hearts about what we bring to the table of healthcare. Break away from tradition for a change and make all things new between us by supporting one another, standing together like a fence that can't be entered without our permission. We have power we do not utilize because for the most part, our lives are NOT bad enough to fight for something better. Do it for our generation of children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren so they don't have to choose to enter a profession that CHOOSES to remain divided instead of CHOOSING to work together. What a boring profession it would be if we were allllllllllllllll registered nurses or alllllllll practical nurses. We can CHOOSE to be helping hands to one another and stop attacking one another. It's a CHOICE...nothing more. It's got to begin there. :)

I agree 100%! What I want to know is HOW?

Everytime I suggest that LPNs be permitted to become certified in this or that, as in Colorado they have an advanced IV therepy permitting LPNs to work with CLines. This is what I am talking about, yet every time I mention it, I am attacked by RNs who insist that an LPN can not be an RN. I never suggested such. I never suggested challenging the NCLEX-RN or anything like that.

I am simply asking nurses to stand together for the betterment of all nurses as well as pt care. It seems we want something that is not likely to happen with all the female back-biting, you can't have what I have or even a tiny part of it and I will take from you everything that I possibly can along the way attitude so prevelant among women.

I wish I had the answer.

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Sure. The supreme court in the 1970's made a ruling the LVN/LPN's were "technicial" in nature - so to speak. Therefore, they had to be included with all the other technical folks into a bargaining unit. This is evident today by the composition of bargaining units inclusive of Pharmacy Techs, CNA's, EKG Techs and the like. That is the way the law is.

jenny99

Oh, I see what you are saying now. I didnt susgest a separate bargaining unit, I asked her to find out how they are going to handle issues that pertain strictly to nurses. And that would be exactly what I would suggest to pharm techs, physical therapists, etc. How is this union prepared to address my groups specific needs.

That is not the same thing as a separate bargaining unit. Do you understand unions?

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Oh, I see what you are saying now. I didnt susgest a separate bargaining unit, I asked her to find out how they are going to handle issues that pertain strictly to nurses. And that would be exactly what I would suggest to pharm techs, physical therapists, etc. How is this union prepared to address my groups specific needs.

That is not the same thing as a separate bargaining unit. Do you understand unions?

Yes - very well, I do understand labor unions. I would lke to ask what group specific issues and needs are you asking about. If I know these, I can better answer your question.

jenny99

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Yes - very well, I do understand labor unions. I would lke to ask what group specific issues and needs are you asking about. If I know these, I can better answer your question.

jenny99

Until there is a group specific need, it would be difficult to define it. But one might think fo something akin to LPNs positions if it were decided to remove them from the acute care floors or benefits concerning continueing education.

It really would be group specific so impossible to define here.

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Specializes in OB.

It was actually Fiona59 who suggested that there be a separate bargaining unit...

Ask the proposed union if LPN's can be a separate bargaining unit. This would allow you the protection of the larger union, but as a separate bargaining unit you negotiate separate contracts pertaining to your group.

I've belonged to large unions (which have included government workers and prison guards, etc.) LPNs always had a separate bargaining unit.

It wasn't perfect but it was better than some of the options that had been on offer. I've heard disaster stories about LPN's joining the same union as RN's. Separate profession, separate bargaining units at least..

LVN's/LPN's are unable to have separate bargaining units under the federal guidelines - this was determined by the supreme court back in the 1970's.

...perhaps, she meant something different? Jenny99, have you been a part of an LPN/LVN union? If so, what was your experience with it?

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It was actually Fiona59 who suggested that there be a separate bargaining unit...

...perhaps, she meant something different? Jenny99, have you been a part of an LPN/LVN union? If so, what was your experience with it?

perhaps she did. I was explaining from a question raised - why LPN/LVN could not have separate bargaining units. Yes, I have been and am still a member of a LVN Labor Union - one of those that was formed prior to that supreme court ruling back in the 1970's (read the prior posts for that explaination) Have enjoyed it throughly. The secret to any union activity is communication and a cooperative effort between the parties - if you have that, you have won the battle (so to speak)

jenny99 :) :) :) :)

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Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

This is the section of the labor code that includes LVN/LPNs as technical along with respiratory therapists and pharmacy techs.

103.30 Appropriate bargaining units in the health care industry.

(a) This portion of the rule shall be applicable to acute care hospitals, as defined in paragraph (f) of this section: Except in extraordinary circumstances and in circumstances in which there are existing non-conforming units, the following shall be appropriate units, and the only appropriate units, for petitions filed pursuant to section 9©(1)(A)(i) or 9©(1)(B) of the National Labor Relations Act, as amended, except that, if sought by labor organizations, various combinations of units may also be appropriate:

(1) All registered nurses.

(2) All physicians.

(3) All professionals except for registered nurses and physicians.

(4) All technical employees.

(5) All skilled maintenance employees.

(6) All business office clerical employees.

(7) All guards.

(8) All nonprofessional employees except for technical employees, skilled maintenance employees, business office clerical employees, and guards.

http://law.justia.com/cfr/title29/29-2.1.1.1.4.3.24.1.html

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