Menorah Medical Center RNsBecome First Kansas Nurses to Join National Union of Nurses

PICUPNP · Nov 24, 2009

Another facility falls to the nnoc, what a shame.

RN4MERCY · Nov 25, 2009

Another facility falls to the nnoc, what a shame.

A "facility" is a building. Menorah Medical Center didn't "fall".

You ignore the fact that the nurses voted in a democratic election to join with other nurses who are members of NNOC in building a more powerful voice on behalf of the profession of nursing and the patients they serve. They'll be joining a collective of public advocates who share a vision for a more fair, just and equitable system of healthcare for all. Where's the shame in that? :cool:

nicurn001 · Nov 25, 2009

Another facility falls to the nnoc, what a shame.

This is like saying another state falls to the democrats / republicans , what a shame .

If we believe in the deomocratic process , when a duly certified election has occured , we should celebrate , democracy in action .

PICUPNP · Nov 25, 2009

My position on nursing unions remains steadfast...they have no place in nursing. I'm thankful to live in a right to work state where unions will have an exceptionally hard time putting down roots. Now the hospital and its patients are at the mercy of the union. Once again, what a shame.

RN4MERCY · Nov 25, 2009

My position on nursing unions remains steadfast...they have no place in nursing. I'm thankful to live in a right to work state where unions will have an exceptionally hard time putting down roots. Now the hospital and its patients are at the mercy of the union. Once again, what a shame.

So patients and their families and the nurses who chose to advocate for them should remain at the mercy of an unjust, for-profit health system, and that's o.k. with you?

You're entitled to your opinion about nursing unions. I wholeheartedly disagree with you. To say RN unions have no place in nursing is a provincial, indefensible and uninformed position. Perhaps everything's perfect in your little corner of the world and you are comfortable there. Perhaps you haven't had the opportunity to meet nurses from other facilities and other states who've realized individuals have little power against wealthy, oppressive corporate interests. Perhaps you belong to your hospital's shared governance committee and you're happy with the narrow scope of pre-determined decision making your employer paternalistically allows you and your co-workers. And if you're ever been fed up and decide to blow the whistle, then what?

Today, all RN unions such as National Nurses Organizing Committee and National Nurses United are more necessary than ever to ensure the profession remains intact and relevant as a patient and professional advocacy organization. Someday, take the time to read this book, "A Short History of Nursing" by Lavinia Lloyd Dock and Isabel Maitland Stewart. You might come to recognize and appreciate the fact that nurses from around the world have been organizing to fight abuses since the inception of the profession. We need to carry on with the metaphorical torch that's been passed from Florence Nightingale and entrusted to us and continue organizing for our patients and our profession!

PICUPNP · Nov 25, 2009

I'm amazed that nurses all over the state of Texas have made for as long as they have without unions? How is that? Are you saying that since we're(TX) not unionized, we are not being advocates for our patients and families? No, I wouldn't say that everything is perfect here..just like anyone else, we have to stand up for ourselves. BUT, I do not believe that striking against an employer and leaving patients to be cared for by those who aren't qualified. Explain how that is being an advocate for your patients. I don't want the same scripted answer about this is the only way and we give them notice....it doesn't fly! How do explain the fact that nursing unions have gained no ground in TX? Maybe it's because a majority of us don't follow along with the same notions that the unions do. Maybe it's because TX nurses have the option to not pay the ridiculous dues that are charged.....

nicurn001 · Nov 25, 2009

PICU you ask a question , then say you don't want the same tired answers , but you give the same tired reasons for your beliefs ( which I know and accept are honestly held opinions you have , from previous threads we have participated in ) .

I too would prefer not to strike , but it is a weapon we need to have when talking to an intransigent employer . When a strike is threatened , it is the financial side of the equation management looks to ie. will it cost us more to mitigate the effects of a strike than to accede to the demand , management is not interested in the patients , if they were they would use the time between notification of a possible strike and it occuring to place patients who cannot be discharged into other facilities which are uneffected by the strike .

"I do not believe that striking against an employer and leaving patients to be cared for by those who aren't qualified ". I think this sentence is revealing , because managements that keep their hospitals open during a strike always say , come on in it's OK here . It is the employers responsibility to ensure patients are cared for safely at all times they are in the facility , so if they choose not to ensure safe staffing , it's their decision and responsibility.

As this thread as we are talking of NNOC and its future sucessor , they give management a number to call , so that if their is a need , they can ask for assistance from the striking nurses .

You come from Tx and are ( as my understanding of Texans ) into indivdual responsibility , so how is it wrong , when a group of individuals use that responsibility , in a democratic process , to vote in a union . If the vote had gone the other way ,as individuals they would have been responsible for there reaction to the vote .

Onekidneynurse · Nov 25, 2009

so patients and their families and the nurses who chose to advocate for them should remain at the mercy of an unjust, for-profit health system, and that's o.k. with you?
you really need to check and see what union officials are paid and where your dues go.
you're entitled to your opinion about nursing unions. i wholeheartedly disagree with you. to say rn unions have no place in nursing is a provincial, indefensible and uninformed position. perhaps everything's perfect in your little corner of the world and you are comfortable there. perhaps you haven't had the opportunity to meet nurses from other facilities and other states who've realized individuals have little power against wealthy, oppressive corporate interests. perhaps you belong to your hospital's shared governance committee and you're happy with the narrow scope of pre-determined decision making your employer paternalistically allows you and your co-workers. and if you're ever been fed up and decide to blow the whistle, then what?
and you'll have even less power to get rid of the union. have you seen what other hospitals have to go through to get rid of them? blow the whistle on your union and see what happens.
today, all rn unions such as national nurses organizing committee and national nurses united are more necessary than ever to ensure the profession remains intact and relevant as a patient and professional advocacy organization. someday, take the time to read this book, "a short history of nursing" by lavinia lloyd dock and isabel maitland stewart. you might come to recognize and appreciate the fact that nurses from around the world have been organizing to fight abuses since the inception of the profession. we need to carry on with the metaphorical torch that's been passed from florence nightingale and entrusted to us and continue organizing for our patients and our profession!

yeah organize yourselves right out of a job. but that's ok because there are plenty of us waiting in the wings.

allnurses Guide · Dec 2, 2009

[color=#111111]menorah nurses retain union as bargaining agent

[color=#111111]on nov. 20, the area's nurses union gained a victory when nurses at menorah medical center in overland park voted to retain their bargaining agent....

[color=#111111]...the local union, now called national nurses united/national nurses organizing committee, is an affiliate of the california nurses association. earlier this year, the new bargaining group replaced the previous version of nurses united, which was part of the american federation of teachers' health care division.

[color=#111111]last spring, nurses at centerpoint medical center in independence overwhelmingly voted to oust nurses united as their bargaining agent.

[color=#111111]that was followed by the union changing its affiliation to the group formed by the california nurses association, the biggest union representing registered nurses in the country.

[color=#111111]despite the change, nurses at lee's summit medical center in october voted by a smaller margin to remove national nurses united. however, the union has filed objections to the election results.

[color=#111111]but menorah nurses had a different reaction, retaining their bargaining unit....

[color=#111111]...menorah, lee's summit and centerpoint are all owned by hca midwest health system, the area's largest operator of hospitals....

[color=#111111]http://www.kansascity.com/502/story/1603035.html

RN4MERCY · Dec 2, 2009

[color=#111111]menorah nurses retain union as bargaining agent
[color=#111111]on nov. 20, the area's nurses union gained a victory when nurses at menorah medical center in overland park voted to retain their bargaining agent....
[color=#111111]...the local union, now called national nurses united/national nurses organizing committee, is an affiliate of the california nurses association. earlier this year, the new bargaining group replaced the previous version of nurses united, which was part of the american federation of teachers' health care division.
[color=#111111]last spring, nurses at centerpoint medical center in independence overwhelmingly voted to oust nurses united as their bargaining agent.
[color=#111111]that was followed by the union changing its affiliation to the group formed by the california nurses association, the biggest union representing registered nurses in the country.
[color=#111111]despite the change, nurses at lee's summit medical center in october voted by a smaller margin to remove national nurses united. however, the union has filed objections to the election results.
[color=#111111]but menorah nurses had a different reaction, retaining their bargaining unit....
[color=#111111]...menorah, lee's summit and centerpoint are all owned by hca midwest health system, the area's largest operator of hospitals....
[color=#111111]http://www.kansascity.com/502/story/1603035.html

thank you for this update. when nurses are informed and understand why employers spend so much money and use illegal tactics to divide them and keep them from uniting together as a more powerful force to exercise their advocacy power, they will make a logical choice on behalf of their profession and their patients. education is the key. by uniting and sharing our collective resources, we have the power to file charges and follow through on holding them accountable. unfortunately, when there has been a history of poor representation by a non-nurses union with divided loyalties and a lack of vision, some nurses fall prey to discouragement, learned powerlessness, and they begin to feel helpless as individuals.

i think the nurses at lee's summit will learn to trust the national nurses united as they go through the process and they will have an opportunity to successfully right the wrongs that have been perpetrated against them by their employer. they will observe the critical difference and power of being represented by an all rn union. i believe they will choose to join and support our collective advocacy work because they will recognize that it's in the best interests of the patients they serve and their profession.

florence nightingale said, "the most important practical lesson that can be given to nurses is to teach them what to observe." nurses have learned over time that the big for-profit healthcare corporations are organized; their mission is maximizing profits. individual nurses are no match as advocates for their individual patients against these corporate giants and patients suffer because of it. nurses are saying, "enough."

all across the country nurses have made careful observations and they've learned that the national nurses organizing committee/national nurses united has been the most successful union and professional association in representing nurses and helping them exert their power on behalf of their profession and their patients. this union is the pre-eminent consumer watchdog and public advocacy organization. :specs: