Nurses' Unions

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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.

Specializes in mostly MICU and some L&D and PACU.

:confused: Gee Steph, I'm really confused. Judgemental? Do you even reread your own comments? "they had on suits that looked like the mafia and wore rings with big "rocks". HMMMM!! You obviously didn't give those suits the time of day or even bothered to listen to them without "judgement".

And of course your not afraid of your employer because you probably jump ship for the slightest of reasons. Why don't you elaborate on how you made your workplace a better place? That is, not for yourself, but your coworker and the patients you care for.

And by the way, I haven't seen the word "stupid" in any of these threads. And I have reread mine and don't see it. Would you care to correct that comment?

sandi

Wow. What a judgmental bunch of crock.

I do make my work environment a better and safer place. I'm not afraid of management - that is just silly. I can get a job anywhere - I'm not the type to bend over and grab my ankles for anyone.

As to the comment about the union reps . . . it doesn't matter whether the diamond rings were real or not. You missed my point completely. These union reps came to a rural community made up of hardworking people and they dressed like someone from a big city - they had on suits that looked like the mafia and wore rings with big "rocks". It certainly made us think about where exactly they got the money for those big rings. It certainly didn't make a good impression - they were trying to woo us and it backfired.

Calling people stupid for having a different opinion is not conducive to a good conversation.

I'm not a union buster - if the majority of nurses voted one in - so be it. I believe in letting the majority have what they want. I'd just go elsewhere. Simple.

steph

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Specializes in mostly MICU and some L&D and PACU.

:smackingf Well, PLEASE, don't come to my city or for that matter my hospital. Again I see that judgemental side of you. Not one person at any of our hospitals are forced to pay union dues. I choose to pay union dues because I have seen how the union has improved my work conditions. I am disappointed that others choose not to. That is their decision. I'm quite happy to pay an avg. of 1 hours wages a month to support that. Especially when it has helped me get better wages, health insurance, etc.. It looks to me you need to do a little more research on unions and shops. Your comments sound like typical managements misinformation!

Hey, if there was an opt-out clause and I didn't have to pay union dues, I'd stay.

But I will not work anywhere where I'm forced to join a union.

Just a personal thing.

steph

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:smackingf Well, PLEASE, don't come to my city or for that matter my hospital. Again I see that judgemental side of you. Not one person at any of our hospitals are forced to pay union dues. I choose to pay union dues because I have seen how the union has improved my work conditions. I am disappointed that others choose not to. That is their decision. I'm quite happy to pay an avg. of 1 hours wages a month to support that. Especially when it has helped me get better wages, health insurance, etc.. It looks to me you need to do a little more research on unions and shops. Your comments sound like typical managements misinformation!

Good post.

http://nursesrev.advocateoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={9CB119A7-E088-48CD-98EF-184987726DE4}

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In Some Fashion Nurses Need To Collectively Join Together To Make Their Voices Heard.

If You Feel That You Can "negotiate" The Best Deal For Yourself--i Have No Way To Evaluate What You Think A "good Deal" Is. But For Nurses, Often It Is Not Such An "individual Case" Issue -- How Is Your Healthcare Benefit? Your Disability Plan? Vacation And Sick Leave.....those Are All Negotiated By The Employer For Groups --not Individuals.

In Terms Of A Voice For Nursing Right Now It Is The Various Unions That Are Going To Management In Individual Cases And To The Legislature For Improving Working Conditions (no Mandatory Overtime/ Safe Lifting/staffing,meals And Breaks) For Everyone.

How Do You Think Laws Regarding Nurse Practice, Education, Patient Safety, Insurance Coverage, Etc Come Into Play--groups Get Together Representing The Interests Of Their Members --if Your Hospital Is A Member Of A State Hospital Association That Is Their Union,

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
:yeahthat: :bow: :cool: :nurse:

All it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing. Decert=stupid as far as I am concerned.

This is rather uncalled for, decent=stupid. Totally an inappropiate statement and also a highly incorrect one.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
Wow. What a judgmental bunch of crock.

I do make my work environment a better and safer place. I'm not afraid of management - that is just silly. I can get a job anywhere - I'm not the type to bend over and grab my ankles for anyone.

As to the comment about the union reps . . . it doesn't matter whether the diamond rings were real or not. You missed my point completely. These union reps came to a rural community made up of hardworking people and they dressed like someone from a big city - they had on suits that looked like the mafia and wore rings with big "rocks". It certainly made us think about where exactly they got the money for those big rings. It certainly didn't make a good impression - they were trying to woo us and it backfired.

Calling people stupid for having a different opinion is not conducive to a good conversation.

I'm not a union buster - if the majority of nurses voted one in - so be it. I believe in letting the majority have what they want. I'd just go elsewhere. Simple.

steph

I am a Union Buster

I am a strike buster also. Love those strike wage contracts Ive gotten. paid for a lot of golf.

Unions dont make a better work place, unless you call an enviroment of mas mediocrity a better enviroment.

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I am a Union Buster

I am a strike buster also. Love those strike wage cintracts Ive gotten. paid for a lot of golf.

Unions dont make a better work place, unless you call an enviroment of mas mediocrity a better enviroment.

I don't have a problem with what you are doing Tom. Enjoy your days of golf! :balloons:

I wouldn't join a union but I wouldn't work strikes.

steph

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:confused: Gee Steph, I'm really confused. Judgemental? Do you even reread your own comments? "they had on suits that looked like the mafia and wore rings with big "rocks". HMMMM!! You obviously didn't give those suits the time of day or even bothered to listen to them without "judgement".

And of course your not afraid of your employer because you probably jump ship for the slightest of reasons. Why don't you elaborate on how you made your workplace a better place? That is, not for yourself, but your coworker and the patients you care for.

And by the way, I haven't seen the word "stupid" in any of these threads. And I have reread mine and don't see it. Would you care to correct that comment?

sandi

Ok, I probably shouldn't have said "crock". :trout:

It was judgmental though . . . . . read through it again.

Mr. Viking said "stupid" . . . .

We did give the union reps a chance . . . .and we peppered them with hard questions too. Nothing wrong with anyone being skeptical. As to their appearance - it was just so incongruous . . . .hard not to comment on it. Sorta like if I showed up in NYC for a meeting with hay in my hair, flannel checked wool shirt, overalls and boots. (jk);)

I have worked at my present and only RN job for 9 years. I haven't jumped ship. Yet. ;)

steph

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i am a union buster

i am a strike buster also. love those strike wage contracts ive gotten. paid for a lot of golf.

unions dont make a better work place, unless you call an enviroment of mas mediocrity a better enviroment.

i respectfully disagree. see http://aflcio.org/joinaunion/why/uniondifference/uniondiff8.cfm

productivity

according to a recent survey of 73 independent studies on unions and productivity: “the available evidence points to a positive and statistically significant association between unions and productivity in the u.s. manufacturing and education sectors, of around 10 and 7 percent, respectively.”[color=#333399][2]

some scholars have found an even larger positive relationship between unions and productivity. according to brown and medoff, “unionized establishments are about 22 percent more productive than those that are not.”[color=#333399][3]

product/ service delivery and quality

according to professors michael ash and jean ann seago,[color=#333399][4] heart attack recovery rates are higher in hospitals where nurses are unionized than in non-union hospitals.

another study looked at the relationship between unionization and product quality in the auto industry.[color=#333399][5] according to a summary of this study prepared by american rights at work:

“the author examines the system of co-management created through the general motors-united auto workers partnership at the saturn corporation…the author credits the union with building a dense communications network throughout saturn's management system. compared to non-represented advisors, union advisors showed greater levels of lateral communication and coordination, which had a significant positive impact on quality performance.”

hardly "mass mediocrity"

http://aflcio.org/joinaunion/why/uniondifference/uniondiff8.cfm

see also: https://allnurses.com/forums/f100/nurses-unions-215131-3.html#post2135776

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This is rather uncalled for, decent=stupid. Totally an inappropiate statement and also a highly incorrect one.

I will simply point out that as a union member I would stick up for you regardless of our personal history if you ever had an arbitrary or capricious manager treating you unfairly.

FWIW the quote has a typographical error it should read DECERTIFY=Stupid. Thanks for helping me catch a spelling error.:idea:

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

I love stats shown in surveys. Surveys on these stats are always so messed up. Depending on where they are completed, at work vs elsewhere. Depending whether your in a good mood or not, whather your drinking coffee or a brew. Also stat surveys are specifically designed by whoever to get the results they can get for whoever it is paying the bills. So if the Union pays for a stat survey to use. Of course it will be slanted to get the results they want. Very scientific, very slanted.

I base my observations on what Ive seen over my career and my life.

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I love stats shown in surveys. Surveys on these stats are always so messed up. Depending on where they are completed, at work vs elsewhere. Depending whether your in a good mood or not, whather your drinking coffee or a brew. Also stat surveys are specifically designed by whoever to get the results they can get for whoever it is paying the bills. So if the Union pays for a stat survey to use. Of course it will be slanted to get the results they want. Very scientific, very slanted.

I base my observations on what Ive seen over my career and my life.

Ah, I see you've taken a "Statistics" class. ;) Good job ferreting out the baloney.

steph

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