Raids on members causing high fever in nurse unions

Nurses Activism

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California Nurses Association may be targeting University of Chicago after Cook County win

If there's a campaign map on the wall at the Oakland, Calif., headquarters of the California Nurses Association, the Chicago area must be ground zero.

Since winning away Cook County's 1,800 nurses from the Illinois Nurses Association, the independent union has linked with nurses at more than 20 Chicago-area hospitals with the goal of organizing a handful of them, union officials say.

One possible target is the University of Chicago Hospitals, where workers from the national organizing arm of the California Nurses have been talking with nurses.

They say they are only helping the 1,300 University of Chicago nurses, who belong to the Illinois Nurses Association. But they do not rule out an eventual organizing drive like the one they successfully staged at Cook County.

The situation is "reminiscent" of what happened with Cook County's nurses, confirmed Fernando Losada, head of Midwest operations for the National Nurses Organizing Committee, the national arm for the California Nurses Association.

Full Story: Raids on members causing high fever in nurse unions [Chicago Tribune,United States]

Specializes in Public Health, DEI.
I have a question, the facility that my wife works in just voted to join the CNA (GAG*SPUTTER*COUGH). How does she get out of having to pay the dues, or should she just look for another job?

Just curious, because we both hate the leftist socialist organizations that are known as Labor Unions.

Feeling that way, why on earth take the job in the first place, then?
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Feeling that way, why on earth take the job in the first place, then?

I guess you missed the part "they just voted to join the CNA" as in, it wasn't a union job and hasnt been for last few years...until Jan 26th 06, the election day.

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.
I guess you missed the part "they just voted to join the CNA" as in, it wasn't a union job and hasnt been for last few years...until Jan 26th 06, the election day.
Yep, I sure did miss that.... my apologies. It's what comes of staying up all night and then posting when one is so tired they can't see straight.
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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Sounds as if she will have to find other employment, if this is to be a union shop. That is a shame for her, but I do not see another way.

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Maybe she should stick around for awhile and find out the impact. Most likely it will become a better place to work. I don't understand why workers wanting input into pay and working conditions is considered 'radical'. Unions and thier predecesors trade guilds go back for hundreds of years.

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CNA is very democratic. Unless and until there is a contract agreement voted for by the majority of nurses who bother to vote no one will pay dues.

If she likes the contract but doesn't want to support political action she can arrange not to pay that portion of the dues and just pay for implementation of the contract.

I like the political action such as the ratio law, whistle blower law, nurse title protection law and others sponsored and passes by the CNA.

I am glad my dues money went to paying expenses for nurses demonstrating against the governot to save the Board of Nursing and our ratios.

I know of one hospital that bargained a "grandfathered union shop" because of one nurse who had been there more than 20 years, was an excellent nurse and friend to all. Those working there when the contract was voted on could choose whether or not to join. New hires were required to join.

Soon after the contract was ratified that nurses was threatened with termination for begging them to find an alternative to forcing her to float to an area to care for patients she was not competent to care for. That night she was sent home and someone from the unit she was to float to came in.

Because of the "just cause" discipline a colleague helped her file a grievance and her job was saved. She is now a member by choice.

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Ok I'm not very good on the computer yet so I don't know how to include a part of a previous posting but in regards to posting # 46. A union is it's members and it sounds like your union needs some new blood. People need to get involved in their unions, no one is well served by stagnent leadership. People with poor work ethics are not just found in work places with unions they are everywhere. Unions work to ensure that people are treated equally, there needs to be a consistant manner for discipling people, folks should not be singled out, and the process should be the same for every employee.

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CNA is very democratic. Unless and until there is a contract agreement voted for by the majority of nurses who bother to vote no one will pay dues.

If she likes the contract but doesn't want to support political action she can arrange not to pay that portion of the dues and just pay for implementation of the contract.

I like the political action such as the ratio law, whistle blower law, nurse title protection law and others sponsored and passes by the CNA.

I am glad my dues money went to paying expenses for nurses demonstrating against the governot to save the Board of Nursing and our ratios.

I know of one hospital that bargained a "grandfathered union shop" because of one nurse who had been there more than 20 years, was an excellent nurse and friend to all. Those working there when the contract was voted on could choose whether or not to join. New hires were required to join.

Soon after the contract was ratified that nurses was threatened with termination for begging them to find an alternative to forcing her to float to an area to care for patients she was not competent to care for. That night she was sent home and someone from the unit she was to float to came in.

Because of the "just cause" discipline a colleague helped her file a grievance and her job was saved. She is now a member by choice.

we should be able to opt out of the union to begin with

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we should be able to opt out of the union to begin with

In the above post, do you mean within a hospital once a majority of nurses have already voted to bring in a union? Or are you still saying that nurses should be able to refuse a union (which they can if a majority turns down the union) 1. that's not a good idea because why should an individual get the benefits of union rep (increased wages, better benes, etc.) without having to pay dues. 2. read some of the travel nursing threads and the stories from travelers (who aren't a part of the hospital's nursing union) going to union hospitals. You really don't want to be the lone wolf in a union hospital.

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In the above post, do you mean within a hospital once a majority of nurses have already voted to bring in a union? Or are you still saying that nurses should be able to refuse a union (which they can if a majority turns down the union) 1. that's not a good idea because why should an individual get the benefits of union rep (increased wages, better benes, etc.) without having to pay dues. 2. read some of the travel nursing threads and the stories from travelers (who aren't a part of the hospital's nursing union) going to union hospitals. You really don't want to be the lone wolf in a union hospital.

as in to be employed we shouldnt have to join the damn union and they don't have to "bargain" for me thank you very much.

I can also think for myself, trust my skills, work ethics and honesty will advance my pay and position, and I certainly do not want them lobbying 99% of teh things that they lobby on "my behalf", or with my money.

So, if nurses at my hospital want a union, let em have it, those of us that don't...we'll take our chances, thanks so much

You really don't want to be the lone wolf in a union hospital.
WHy not? Threats, intimidation...thuggery of the union...I understand that, which is why do not want any part of it
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WHy not? Threats, intimidation...thuggery of the union...I understand that, which is why do not want any part of it

Because of the reasons you just listed...if you aren't in the union, you become the object of their affection.

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as in to be employed we shouldnt have to join the damn union and they don't have to "bargain" for me thank you very much.

I can also think for myself, trust my skills, work ethics and honesty will advance my pay and position, and I certainly do not want them lobbying 99% of teh things that they lobby on "my behalf", or with my money.

So, if nurses at my hospital want a union, let em have it, those of us that don't...we'll take our chances, thanks so much

WHy not? Threats, intimidation...thuggery of the union...I understand that, which is why do not want any part of it

Are these the people you are referring to?

http://www.calnurses.org/assets/pdf/CNA_101_0704.pdf

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