Nursing Union questions

newname · Oct 25, 2007

too many questions.

My opinion, Union is VERY helpful with EVERYTHING. Some nurses would complain that they pay too much, but when they need help, union is always there to surport!!! I have experience.

vivicaq · Nov 2, 2007

I worked for a union and a non-unon hospital. True union has pros like the wages are fair and it's much more difficult to get fired. But also union protection can be a bad thing in that it may end up protecting people (lazy) that dont need to be protected thus denying more productive workers that position.

It's not always true that your union rep will fight for you like every thing else some union reps are identical to management.

union can be the voice for the minority in the group. many people tend to go with the majority to avoid conflict even when that position has flaws but the union puts measures to protect the under represented.

All that having been send your union is only as beneficial as how your union reps wanna fight for your interests. Remember you work conditions are an agreement between the management and the union on your behalf.

JailRN · Nov 4, 2007

1. Can't figure out any benefits.

2. No, because they haven't helped when I needed them to.

3. I'm not sure what you mean, "don't like your job"?? don't like your assignment, don't like what??? If it's the assignment, I'd suck it up and do it, figure there's tomorrow..if it's the whole job, I'd evaluate why I was there in the first place....most facilities have employee counseling available...

4. Depends what the concerns are..if it's criminal, speak up--if it's a personality thing, try and work it out..otherwise seee #3.

5. I'm never afraid to speak for patients. That's part of my job, to advocate for them. You can be fired in both places..but, depending on your seniority, it's a little harder in a union facility

6. Sometimes there are people who should have been let go, and they're not..

7.No

8. Both

9. Seniority is seniority--they can work it to whatever advantage they want--go by how long you're in that postition, that shift, that floor, that facility, that chain..depends how they want to spin it

10. No. I've found both groups pretty equal--depends on your persistance

11. No

12. Yes

13. I don't like the thought of striking--I'm a professional.

14. See 13

15. Same

16. Again, depends on how management wants to spin it. They talk about ratios, but when the time comes...

17. Nurses have to speak for themselves.

18. No strikes.

19. NO

20. Hopefully not

21. Worsen

22. The general public doesn't understand until they have someone in the hospital. Some think we sit all day, drink coffee, flirt with doctors, and collect huge paychecks!!!

23. N/A

24. About average, some stay forever, others don't make a week.

25. I have no problem getting approved supplies in my facility. I just make a phone call.

Good luck!!

JustMe · Nov 11, 2007

I look at paying my unions dues like I pay my malpractice insurance. I don't want to be sued so I have malpractice insurance. I also don't want to be wrongfully terminated so I belong to a union.

Belonging to a union is like membership in any organization--it's about how much you are willing to put into it yourself. Most union members say "they don't do anything for me" but how much are they participating themselves? A union is only as strong as its members because the members ARE the union.

Wages and benefits are competitive in this nursing shortage. With several hospitals in any given area (like LA or SF), non-union hospitals have to keep pace with wages and benefits achieved by union negotiations or they lose nurses.

Just my :twocents:

Sheri257 · Nov 11, 2007

1. What do you find are some of the benefits of being in a union?

Job protection, higher wages. I make $43 an hour, which goes up to $48 an hour in three years.

2. Do you feel like it is easier, when in a union, to speak to a union representative to share your concerns about your working conditions and concerns about work?

Yes, although I have a pretty good relationship with the managers and talk to them about issues as well.

3. Who do you go to talk to if you don’t like your job on your floor when in a non- union hospital?

Depends on the hospital. Some non-union hospital managers were very responsive, others didn't care at all about my concerns.

4. Are you confident in expressing concerns to management position when not in a union?

Again, it depends on the hospital management.

5. Are you or any other nurses ever afraid to speak for patients because you would be fired? Is it easier to be fired when in a non-union hospital?

I've never been fired but it would definitely be easier to get fired at a non-union hospitals because, in a union shop, they have to follow more procedures and prove you actually did something wrong when firing you under a union contract.

6. By not firing people from unions, is the myth true, do you end up keeping the worse of the nurses?

Not really. I've seen mediocre workers in both union and non-union shops. With non-union shops managers played favorites so ... it didn't make much difference in worker quality, IMO. Non-union hospitals that pay less also tend to have more staff turnover so, they often would keep mediocre workers just because they were always so short.

7. Do nurses that work within unionized hospitals have less opportunity for promotions and growth?

It varies. Because of the seniority system, you lose some opportunities but you can also gain opportunities you otherwise wouldn't have. So it's a mixed bag.

8. In a union hospital do they promote based on seniority or skill level?

Job assignments for RN jobs are dictated by seniority but actual promotions to supervisory and other positions are based on merit. You have to take an exam, meet the various education and other job requirements as well as go through job interviews to be promoted.

9. What do you think of how ”seniority” works when in a union hospital?

I've lost jobs due to seniority but have also gained better opportunities due to seniority. Overall, I have no complaints.

10. Do you have more opportunity for growth in a non-union hospital? Is it easier to promote or seek growth opportunities within a non-union hospital because you are not affected by seniority?

Again, it depends on the management. If they play favorites and select people not based on merit then, you have a better opportunities in a union shop.

11. Do you find there is there more autonomy not being in union?

No. I feel that have more autonomy because management can't arbitrarily do things like change my assignment or work hours under union rules. As long as I'm doing my job, they pretty much leave me alone.

12. Do you have an option to be a union member at work?

Yes, you can be a union member or not if you choose but, you still have to pay the dues.

13. What are some of the disadvantages to being in a union?

In some cases, you have to a put a lot of time in and build seniority to get better positions and better working hours. And, obviously you have to pay union dues.

14. How is being in a union impact the nurse?

Just as an example .... right now management has just cut staffing on one unit so, under the union contract, we will be able to contest those staffing cuts and will probably be successful. I don't think we'd be able to do this in a non-union shop. Unless the staffing is dictated by law, management can pretty much do anything they want with staffing in a non-union shop.

15. How do you feel union’s impact nursing and health care provided to patients?

- Is it better?

- Worse?

- Same?

Definitely better care. The fact that the unions got the ratio law passed, limiting patient loads in California, is pretty good evidence of that. California is the only state that limits patient loads, and unions are soley responsible for that accomplishment.

16. Hospitals such as Kaiser have specific nurse to patient ratio, how do non-union hospital compare?

Some non-union hospitals are really good about ratios, even going below the law requirements. Others barely comply with the law.

17. How do non-union hospitals keep their nurses happy and not overworked (without having a union rep speak for them)?

Some non-union hospitals simply don't bother ... they just keep hiring new people instead of addressing the fundamental problems. Other non-union hospitals do a better job of keeping their staff happy and don't have as much turnover. Basically it depends on whether management listens to the nurses or not.

18. What are the benefits to being in a non-union hospital?

Not paying union dues. You can potentially get better shifts and assignments faster but, in some cases, that can also be due to high staff turnover due to management problems.

19. Do you think nursing unions help nursing causes overall?

Yes

20. In the future, do you see nursing unions still being around or not?

Yes, at least in California.

21. The argument has been stated that nurses are professionals and not trades people who are part of unions, how do you feel about this?

- How do you feel nursing unions help or worsen the image of the nurse in society?

The only reason I'm making $43 an hour is because of California nursing unions so ... if being "professional" means making less money then, being considered a blue collar trades person doesn't bother me one bit.

When the nursing unions had their big fight with Gov. Schwarzenegger over ratios, some nurses disagreed with their tactics but, ultimately the public sided with the nursing unions and Schwarzenegger backed off so ... I think that unions are generally good for the image of nurses in society.

22. Some nurses strike because they want to create smaller patient to nurse ratios and increase patient safety, how do you feel this represents the nursing image overall?

Ultimately the patients are going to suffer with the status quo so, if strikes are necessary to improve care then you do what it takes to make changes.

23. How is your job impacted not being in a union?

Not as much job security, less pay. Non-union hospitals across the board in my area pay less. Generally, it's also more difficult to contest management decisions that affect patient care if you don't have a union contract.

24. What is your turnover rate at hospital? Do you feel it is less or more than what would be in a union hospital?

Turnover rate is very low ... there's actually a waiting list for jobs at my facility. No nursing shortage here, mostly due to the higher pay.

25. Do you ever have a problem with supplies being in a non-union hospital? Is there someone always backing up nurses to get supplies? Who do you go to?

I work closely with the supply department. Generally, they're very helpful.

If there is anything else you want to add please just fill it in below, thank you!

Obviously I'm pro-union but, only because I've greatly benefitted from what the unions have done for nurses in California.

RN Colleen · Oct 25, 2008

Hi I am from IL and do not know much about the benefits of being in a union. I have a job offer from UCLA and they were telling me you have the option to join the union or not. Im just wondering what people feel would be the benefits of joining?? Thanks in advance for your help!:wink2: