Pros and Cons of working for a "union"...

Perpetual Student · Mar 19, 2012

The only con I've noticed to date is having to pay dues.

loriangel14, RN · Mar 19, 2012

I work in a unionized workplace and it is a good thing in my opinion.It ensures we are treated fairly and will back us up if we are not.I don't have to worry about losing my job just on the whim of my employer and if I ever had a meeting with a manager I cn take my rep with me so I don't get bullied or threatened.They fight for raises as well.

smhs, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2012

Thank you for the information... :yeah: but can you give me a more detailed information on what a "union" does and how they actually "protect us"?

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2012

I can tell you things that happen at my non-unionized facility that would never happen at a union facility-

If I rush a patient to the OR, the ICU, stat CT, etc at change of shift and end up at work 2 hrs late, I do not get paid for this extra time.

If I work 48 hrs in a week, I am not paid overtime because my position is only 36 hrs/week.

If my position is 36 hrs/week and my manager decides that I am going to work 48 hrs this week and 24 hrs some week in the future, I have to do that and, again, I do not get any OT for the week in which I worked > 40 hrs.

If my facility decides that staff are not getting raises this year because of the "economy", we don't get raises.

If my manager arbitrarily decides that people cannot take a summer vacation in August because they don't have significant PTO today, then they don't get their vacation.

If I work a night shift or a weekend shift, I do not get any extra differential for this.

If the hospital decides that benefits are going to be cut and the cost is going to go up, that happens. End of story.

I am a staff nurse and all of these things have happened. I am counting down the days (20) until I am done with this place. I will never work in a non-union hospital again.

loriangel14, RN · Mar 19, 2012

I guess I take for granted the things I never have to worry about because of my union.They can't change my work schedule without permission.If I am scheduled to work an 8 hour shift and then they ask me to stay for an extra 4 hours it is overtime.Shifts that get filled have a protocol as to who gets offered the shifts first.If someone with less seniority than you gets a shift and they didn't ask you first then you can grieve it.No playing favorites.If you apply for a position internally and someone with the same credentials applies the one with the most seniority gets it.The union ensures we get regular raises and sets out rules around sick days and holidays.

TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN · Mar 19, 2012

Just to be clear. You don't work for the union, the union is supposed to work for you!

loriangel14, RN · Mar 19, 2012

Just to be clear. You don't work for the union, the union is supposed to work for you!

Yes absolutely.You only are a member.You don't work for them.

smhs, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2012

Great information!!! Thank you so much!! Now I have a better understanding of the difference between the two (union vs non-union)! :)

mdfog10 · Mar 20, 2012

The "Union" ="the state of being united". The Union is YOU and Me. The Union is no different than any other organization you belong to . You are informed, you vote, you choose to become involved as a member or a leader... You don't like the leadership , then you get involved to change it. WE are the Union. The Union protects a fair process. The Union allows a equal playing field between management and nurses. In my state my Union is run by RNs for RNs. We protect our scope of practice, our state patient protections, our contract and benefits. My Union is a Union and a Professional Association. We care and work for improving our working conditions and our profession. No one works for you--you have to be part of the process.

RNKPCE · Mar 20, 2012

Been frequenting all nurses for years. After reading how some nurses are treated at some hospitals there is no way I would work at a non union hospital. Union hospitals can have issues too. Often times even at union hospitals there is a culture of not putting down overtime etc. I've heard of too many nurses on these boards having their schedules changed after they are published, or vacations pulled back at the last minute. When you have an agreement between management and staff about schedules, vacations, holiday pay, cancellation policy, you are less likely to be taken advantage of.

Vespertinas · Mar 20, 2012

Not all non-unionized hospitals are bad. There are many EXCELLENT hospitals that fear being taken over by unions and they do their best to keep good relations with its RNs. In fact, I came from one of these hospitals and am working at another one now. When I first left and entered a unionized hospital, I felt very stifled by the union presence!

No longer did I had an individual voice. My "concerns" were supposedly being voiced for me. The relationship I had with superiors suddenly became tinted by an "us versus them" attitude. The whole experience was so disturbing that I eventually wrote my old CNO a letter thanking her for working so hard with the hospital CEO to create a collaborative and respectful working environment at that previous hospital.

Unions are good for hospitals that are abusive to its RNs but it doesn't always have to be that way.