Please explain how union hospitals do it.

Published

Taking Kaiser, for example, California mandated ratios, some of the highest wages, patient/insured receiving respectable care, insurance policies comparable to commercial competitors.

Am I missing something? How do they do it? Why haven't more followed suit?

Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

I think when the people of New York understand the lives of their loved ones and their own could be at risk if they have to share their nurse with too many other patients legislators will have to listen.

More than 20 years ago our management proposed a significant across the board raise to RNs while claiming that staffing levels were not the business of nurses. They refused to even discuss it.

Now there are many studies regarding nurse-to-patient ratios. But will hospitals even read them?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
OMG! This explains a ton! My union is SEIUHealthcare. I am going to send these articles to my co-workers. Thanks!

1199 is a trip! https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/05/14/seiu-continue-unionization-push-tufts/AYrLa42hGQLgaObrvAZQUJ/story.html

The more one hears and or reads about SEIU-1199 it appears they are simply old school union, that is everything is about jobs/increasing membership. Then with numbers they can obtain a "seat at the table" to push their agenda even if it is at odds with other healthcare staff, this includes professional nurses.

Here in NYC politicians on both sides are loathe to go up against 1199. Not only because of cash donations but the large amount of "donated" member time to election campaigns. Things such as staffing phone banks and other get out the vote efforts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
1199 is a trip! https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/05/14/seiu-continue-unionization-push-tufts/AYrLa42hGQLgaObrvAZQUJ/story.html

The more one hears and or reads about SEIU-1199 it appears they are simply old school union, that is everything is about jobs/increasing membership. Then with numbers they can obtain a "seat at the table" to push their agenda even if it is at odds with other healthcare staff, this includes professional nurses.

Here in NYC politicians on both sides are loathe to go up against 1199. Not only because of cash donations but the large amount of "donated" member time to election campaigns. Things such as staffing phone banks and other get out the vote efforts.

So maybe it is more this Local 1199 that is the issue more than SEIU as a whole. But even if that is the case, my SEIU union stinks! We are negotiating in the Fall and I'm going to post a new thread about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm definitely eager to hear about your renegotiation, GN14!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion