Should nurses be allowed to strike?

I am for it, how we do it in Canada. When nurses here strike, essential services are maintained, and unfortunately sometimes it is necessary. I was in BC when we were engaged in a work to rule campaign. We were still all working our full time shifts, we just stopped doing OT and non nursing duties. It was practically CHAOS!!! The system has become so dependent on nurses doing everything that it was needed to show the public how bad things are. Even during the campaign the union authorized thousands of hours of OT to cover emergencies, but still thousands of non-emergent surgeries were cancelled.

Should nurses have the RIGHT to strike? Absolutely. Should businesses/hospitals have the same right not to rehire them? It is food for discussion.

It would be extremely difficult for them to be fired, mainly because of being a union workplace. This is especially true in some provinces where practically every nurse is a union member.

Nurses must have the right to strike, although unless the nurses have union representation, I don't know just how they'd pull it off. A union sanctioned strike is usually done when there is no valid contract in place; the administration will drag its feet forever if nurses continue to work, therefore managing not to negotiate a new contract.

Nurses then have the option of continuing to work without a contract, in which case they could be fired for no reason, or strike in order to get the point across to administration that working with no contract is not acceptable.

I can't imagine not working without a contract that ensures fairness, protection and assistance in so many ways. Where I work, without a contract, I'd still be making what I started out making 25 years ago because unless forced, they don't give up a thing!

Originally posted by fergus51

I am for it, how we do it in Canada. When nurses here strike, essential services are maintained, and unfortunately sometimes it is necessary. I was in BC when we were engaged in a work to rule campaign. We were still all working our full time shifts, we just stopped doing OT and non nursing duties. It was practically CHAOS!!! The system has become so dependent on nurses doing everything that it was needed to show the public how bad things are. Even during the campaign the union authorized thousands of hours of OT to cover emergencies, but still thousands of non-emergent surgeries were cancelled.

Originally I said no thinking there needs to be another answer besides yes or no. Of course it's not fair that we're not allowed to strike like millions and millions of other employees are permitted by law. If we don't show up to work in the morning people will die not maybe people definitely will die. That's the whole problem, and there is no one management can call to fill in for us you can't just fill in for us with non pro's. Fergus51 brings up an intresting scenario with the overtime and non nursing very intresting. That's certainly something for america to throw around. Tntrn posted earlier "Nurses must have the right to strike, although unless the nurses have union representation, I don't know just how they'd pull it off..." That's easy to fix I guarantee if call one of the Unions that represent nurses there will be at least 10 at the front door of your facility in time greet the 7-3 shift. I've only worked at one place where the employees were try to get representation I thought for sure we would win the vote for unionization, but the employees just crumbled at non existent management threats...This is a very hot topic that's been around a long time.

I mean there really is no way they could ever take away the right to strike. I mean if you look at history if a large group of people make a decsision they could do like NY police did a decdae ago and have Blue-Flu etc. I don't think nurses should be allowed to walk away which they aren't because that would be abandonment but if you are off and don't ever take report or report for duty then you are not providing Pt care. It is a Horrible state of affairs that we should have to strike. I think the reality of the situation could be easily altered and to a large degree fixed. And Yes I think more money is the biggest issue, I think if the money issue were resolved a lot of other things would take care of themselves.

Whew didn't know I was going that far!

Thank you to all who have posted or voted thus far. This subject is shaping up to be a serious debate for my class. Definitely not an easy black or white subject. Thanks again!

My answer has not changed since you asked this last and I bet te results will be similar as last time. People have STRONG feelings one way or the other.....just as they do on union versus non-union nursing. You can ask this question with different languages and in different venues all you want. People feel strongly on both sides.

My answer is an unequivocal yes; we have that RIGHT and SOMEtimes the OBLIGATION...(oh yes I said that)........but like said before, DONE FAIRLY. (advance notice for preparation). Folks, The hospitals are WELL insured for this sort of thing and most are more than happy and willing to hire "scabs" at considerably HUGE cost to replace striking nurses. I feel NO sympathy for a hospital whose nurses are on strike......this is NOT done on a whim but on STRONG principles and hospitals CAN afford it , believe me!

Of course...sometimes it's the only way to get the point across. And it's not like a strike just happens all of a sudden; admin. gets plenty of fair warning.

I could never betray my brothers and sisters by being a scab; they're fighting for safe conditions for themselves and pts. Scabs deserve the contempt directed at them.

Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes

My answer has not changed since you asked this last and I bet te results will be similar as last time. People have STRONG feelings one way or the other.....just as they do on union versus non-union nursing. You can ask this question with different languages and in different venues all you want. People feel strongly on both sides.

Sorry... it seems as though I have offended you. If you look at the first post in THIS thread, it is copied from the original along with the explanation as to why I moved it.

Instead of writing the usual textbook drivel on this issue, I thought that I would ask the experts, and learn something that would actually be based on experience rather than opening up a book.

Again, sorry if I offended you by asking a question.

You may be interested to see how a grassroots group of nurses feel about this issue at http://www.onevoice-ourvoice.com

I personally feel that nurses do themselves and their patients a great disservice when they go on strike although they may have good reasons for doing so.

I don't believe in using patients as pawns to get what I want.

I would never, however, disrespect another nurses right to follow her own heart and ethical values. I would expect her to feel the same about my right to follow my own heart in the matter.

My definition of a "scab" is tissue that forms at a site to form healing. I would not be in the least bit intimidated about crossing a picket line if others called me a scab. I would not hesitate to cross the line to care for the patients who need me, especially as I work in a highly specialized area.

I am there for my patients and to care for my patients......not to appease a group of nurses who are angry and choose to solve problems by walking away from them and going on strike. I think it takes much more professionalism and guts to stay there and work together solving the problems with other nurses and not with union organizers who aren't nurses.

Also, when you walk away, the hospital just hires "scabs" to come in and they make big pay and you get none.........so what's so great about going on strike? DOESN'T MAKE MUCH SENSE TO ME.

http://www.onevoice-ourvoice.com