Should I go to work during the strike?

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Hi all,

I'm currently a student nurse and I work at UCLA as per diem care partner/CNA. I just found out that the nurses union has decided to go on a strike next week and I got a phone call from my supervisor asking me whether I would be going in for my scheduled shift next week. As a per diem worker, I don't pay union dues or get union benefits which is why she was checking. I outright asked her whether I should go in or just stay home and support the union. She wouldn't answer and said it was up to me which is a fair answer. That said, I really hope when I graduate that I can work at this hospital so I don't want it to count against me. Then again, I could use the cash. Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction? I've already said I would be coming in but I can still cancel my shifts.

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Specializes in NICU.

By all means stay home.Your supervisor seems cool with it, any way ,Hospital gets ample notice before the strike,most are just one day,no one wants to hurt a patient.The more people stick together ,the sooner it is over.Stay home ,keep quiet,do not discuss as to why.When you go for a job there the nurses will remember your support. Try to remember they are not striking because things are so nice and rosy at that institution.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

Of course the supervisor can't help you with this; she's in a precarious position. She may well sympathize with the union but being management, has to tread carefully. I strongly recommend you find someone in the union to speak with. Find out exactly what the issues are that are prompting the strike. If not properly resolved now, these are the same issues you will be dealing with if you eventually get hired on by that hospital.

Ask the union rep if they would have a problem with you going to work during the strike. Nursing unions will often cooperate with providing limited essential services during a strike; they don't want to harm patients (a factor never mentioned by the press covering the strike). They might consider prn staff to be part of that essential service or they might consider it to be crossing the picket line.

Beware of empty bombastic rhetoric and do your best to find someone who can present the facts logically and cohesively. Then make your decision whether to accept work during the strike.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

I think it is fine to make your decision based on a balance of your own needs and values. If you really need the money, then go. If you prefer to stay home in solidarity then do that. It is okay either way.

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Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

Are the care techs and CNAs striking? If my coworkers were striking, I would NEVER cross the picket line.

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