Nurses' Unions

[nursemike]

The topic of unionization has come up,lately, at work, and it got me wondering. So I'm hoping some of you nurses who are currently represented by unions could tell me what union you're with, and how your experience with it has been. I'm ambivalent about the whole idea, but that's a change from being pretty firmly opposed. Any feedback will be appreciated.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

I agree ... even though I'm pro union, I would never rely on the AFL's stats ... too much bias. But, that's why I think the Bureau of Labor Statistics data is so compelling ... no bias there, especially with a Republican administration.

And that data does show year after year that union workers make more money than non-union workers.

:typing

Well I am non union certainly. If union workers make more than me, why are they striking. Because bottom line its always money.

I doubt if many make more than I do

[RPNinTO]

I have found unions to be good and bad personally.

I have seen them go in where places were not competitive money wise and those salaries went up!

They try to look out for your interests.

However,

It seems harder to get full time jobs, and things are based on seniority rather than work performance. You have some people in senior positions that are not working hard anymore but getting rewarded just the same...

I was doing staff relief for a place and was very well liked... so staff told me to apply directly( was at an agency) but with the unionization it is hard to get a job there....

I find that very frustrating

[lisa_22]

I am here in Arizona aka hillbilly state and hence a "Right to work" state - went agency for awhile and got DNR'D for no good reason except another nurse did not like me - God forbid you are cuter or smarter than them or impose any "threat" in their minds...I come from a union place (10 yrs w/ union) and would NEVER happen, if somebody had an issue with you, it would be brought through the proper channels, this RIGHT TO WORK mentality has hurt many lives, is so unfair and makes a person feel as if they are stuck back in the 1800's. How anyone could not choose union for the mere protection of your rights is beyond me.....basically what I've seen is it does not matter a bit if you are a good nurse or not, if they don't like you - you are down the road with no recourse - (of course if anyone knows of any recourse pls let me know...)

[honey10ms]

First Thank You for letting me be a part of this discussion.

T hree years ago I joined the CNA/NNOC(California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee). There are 75,000 members nation wide. This is the finest group of people I have had the pleasure to be a part of. Not only does this union fight for the rights of it's members, they are patient advocates-having initiated the idea of safe patient/nurse ratios in California and promoting that concept in several other states. This union worked with nurses in Chicago to stop the closing of clinics in the poorest parts of town.

This union is working politically to try and obtain a national health plan so that everyone has health insurance. We support HR676 in that effort.

Without the union, the hospital in which I work was only going to give us a 2% raise last year and we fought and got 8%. Without the union and it's professional labor reps, none of our benefits would have been protected.

This union provides education to it's members and protection from unfair labor practices.

My union is an active social, political and economic force that's only objective is to protect patients, their nurses and the general public.

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

Sometimes it's not for better money,but better benefits. $100.00 an hour is pretty good pay don't ya think ? Wish I made that kind of money. But my "union" spouse does, and he has too put up with the "not so great old-timers too....." but they are notorious for taking care of the older ones and the not "so good ones" as OTJ training helped them many years ago. Along with 5 years of school. The old are not forgotten or deemed incompetant, using an ealier poster's thoughts.

[GALPN57]

I think we need some unions in Georgia!

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

I think we need some unions in Georgia!

I would write your Congressmen and tell him to support the Employee Free Choice Act...

[suanna]

My nursing department has a union. As my director said-"any hospital that has a nurses union deserves it". The biggest issues the union has fought for is bidding rights, job discrimination - jobs awarded by seniority not who you know, floating guidelines, vacation, the use of non-permanent staff to replace members- (bringing in an agency nurse to a unit and forcing your staff to float in not allowed) and overtime requirements. We have negotiated on the issue of mandatory overtime but have never been able to get it banned outright- just an agreement that it won't be used without consulting the union first. They have been less successful in pay scale in that any hospital has to be competitive with the local market. You won't hear -"you are getting a 3% raise this year but don't tell anyone else because many aren't geting that". Pay scale is based on seniority. We have gone on strike 3 times in 25 years-the last time was over keeping benifits for spouses and families among other more minor issues. I don't think either side came out ahead with the strikes but it did focus the negotiations on finding a settlement. My union is a division with the Ohio Nurses Association. At least with a union you know the rules and every director plays by the same rules.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

I think we need some unions in Georgia!

wont happen in that Cracker barrel State

[Yosemite, RN, ASN, EMT-I]

I've read as many of the postings/pages as I can tolerate, many excellent points made. For my money, I'd work in a non-union hospital who competed on all fronts to avoid unionization. I seriously doubt, though, there is a facility such as this.

Unions, as another member pointed out, is merely a band-aid for a much deeper problem. I've found, the stronger the union, the more of an adversarial relationship the staff has with management. The stronger the union, the less you can "shine" and be rewarded for your strengths and committments.

On the other hand, the weaker the union, the worse the working conditions are, let alone pay and benefits. The weaker the union, the likelier the chance you'll excel from continuing education, increasing skills and strong work ethic. It appears to be quite a polarized situation.

[fighting4saferatios]

wont happen in that Cracker barrel State

It is coming like it is in Texas and the rest of the South.....It was once said that Civile rights would not come to Georgia either.....HMMMMM.........Texans are leading the fight again......we will be there with bells on.........

Workers need protection......Nurses need it worse than a factory Worker. Why? well you have state laws that govern you and you make a mistake because you are over worked or understaffed it is you the RN that is in trouble not the hospital. Hospitals have no ratio laws or patient advocacy duties but the RNs do in most states. You have a right under the US 13th adminminte to the Constitution to join any oraganization, group, union,etc. of your choicing. Nusres it time to stand up and fight for your rights. It is time to demand that the hospitals let you do your job in safe conditions for you and for your patients. You all took an oath to be patient advocates and your patients come first. It is time to make the hospitals see this and for RNs to stand strong and fight. That is what unionizing does it makes your voice stronger. One thing to rember Rns is you are the union. In a strong Union the members not the hires staff you pay for with your dues money make the choices. You make those choices. You are the union.

[gerry79]

Interesting topic!