Ok whats the deal? Union or not? (non-represented or union represented)

[MrLVNtoRN]

Maybe someone can shed some light on this, but i cant seem to understand clearly if i have to join a union or not. Ok, so I will be moving from Texas to Seattle in Aug, and when i license and start looking for a job will i have to be affiliated with a union or not? In Texas we do not have much information about unions and just wanted to know if that the norm in Wa. If its an option, what would be some of the pros and cons of joining a union (or not joining). Thanks again.

[LalaJJB]

You'll join the union when you get hired. They send you an application along with your contract. l

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Some hospitals are closed shop. That means you have no choice but to join. Others are open. That means you can either join or not.

I prefer to be unionized. No firing somebody on a whim.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Wanted to add that if you want to know what the area wages are, you can find contracts online.

[FLOBRN]

I recently moved to Wa from Fl. The nurses are represented by a union. However it is "open shop". You get the same pay and benefits - to a point if you do not join. You do still have to pay the union an "administrative fee" if you do not join. As near as I can tell, the benefit is having someone at your back if something happens. Having been there done that, I decided to join after consideration of a couple of months.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

I recently moved to Wa from Fl. The nurses are represented by a union. However it is "open shop". You get the same pay and benefits - to a point if you do not join. You do still have to pay the union an "administrative fee" if you do not join. As near as I can tell, the benefit is having someone at your back if something happens. Having been there done that, I decided to join after consideration of a couple of months.

What union do you belong to that you still have to pay an administrative fee? I have never heard of that and have worked in closed and open shops.

[FLOBRN]

WSNA

Am I correct in calling it open shop as you do not have to join?? Its been years since I worked a union job.

Thanks

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Well that stinks! We are currently SEIU 1199NW and we are being pressured to join WSNA. I think that is just wrong.

Yes, open means you do not have to join.

[lindarn]

The nurses in Washington State should call the National Nurses United from the California Nurses Association, and get the ball started here.

WSNA is worse than worthless. SEIU 1199 is not much better. We would all be better off with the NNOC. WSNA turns into milktoast when the hospitals get nasty, and start to pay hard ball. What is worse, is that they convince the nurses to follow their lead. Some leadership!

WSNA has allowed take away after take away, of previously hard won raises, benefits, work place issues. All gone because WSNA refuses to be aggressive against management.

Look what the National Nurses United have done for the nurses in Calofornia- staffing ratios, pay raises, no take aways with new contracts, etc. It is a win win situation. They all joined together and faught against a horrible contract that the hospitals were trying to push on them. THEN, nurses in hospitals all over California were going to go out on strike all at once. THAT is power. The hospitals backed off, and the nurses got the contract they wanted. As long as nurses continue the, "martry mary", routine, NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE!!

The National Nurses United also have been able to unionize in traditional very anti union states- Texas, Florida, Arizona, and have gotten good contracts, benefits, workplace protection, etc.

If you want real change for nursing in the State of Washington, call the National Nurses United and get the ball rolling. I can help in Eastern Washington. PM me.

JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Somewhere in the PACNW

[CCL RN, RN]

. WSNA is worse than worthless. SEIU 1199 is not much better.

I've had nothing but support and help when I needed my union (seiu1199). I wouldn't call them worthless, at all...

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

The only problem I have with SEIU is trying to get ahold of a rep when you need one. CCLRN, have you had that problem? I even know the VP because she represented us for a year while we negotiated a contract that almost turned into a strike. Even she never returns texts, phone calls etc..

We have a new superviser that came from another hospital that was on their neg. team. They were WSNA and she is pushing for 'power with numbers' routine. I'm not sure I'm buying that. Having been WSNA at a prev hospital, we honestly lost money because we took a pay cut!! I wasn't impressed...at all.

I'm interested in what the NNU would have to say. I wonder why they haven't tried to get their foot in the door in WA?

[lindarn]

Probably because they have never been invited. They have spent alot of time unionizing in very anti union places like Texas, Florida, etc. Washington State does have a union presecence, albiet, not a very good one. It would be very good to get them here. Neither WSNA, or SEIU, have accomplished much, and the past few contracts have been, take away, after take away, after take away. While the hospitals are still making money. That is evidenced by the new contstruction, buying up of physician practices, etc. They do not put their money into the individuals who are making the money.

The nurses do not understand what a good union can do for you. They believe that if they have a union, they are OK. Not realizing that when the union is in bed with management, it is almost worse to have, than not having a union at all.

Eastern Washington in right next to, "right to work for less", Idaho, and that mentality spills over to us here. Also, Eastern Washington, has, since the beginning of time, been a lower educated, blue collar trailer trash area. If you know that I mean.

We need the NNOC more than Seattle/Tacoma does.

If you are interested, PM me and lets try to get the ball rolling.

JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN ,BSN, CCRN

Somewhere in the PACNW