So how common are nursing Unions?

moonlady · Sep 10, 2003

Are there any hospitals in Florida that are union? I am a new nurse who is planning to relocate there in 2 months.

Erinkate2959 · Sep 10, 2003

I'm not really clear on what nursing unions are about. I remember someone telling me before that belonging to a union makes nursing less of a career and profession and more of a trade. I think it was one of my instructors who said it. What are the benefits to being in a union?

Erin

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2003

Originally posted by moonlady
Are there any hospitals in Florida that are union? I am a new nurse who is planning to relocate there in 2 months.

Lakeland Regional and there are also a few in the South Florida (Boca/Miami) areas is my understanding.

With unions, you have some leverage. Yes, frequently there are mediocre nurses, but with the Nursing shortage and the advent of "Let's hire any warm body with a license" mentality, that happens without unions being involved.

Be aware the Florida has some of the poorest payrates and nursing conditions in the US. And it takes from 2-8 monthes to get a license by endorsement (bureaucratic bulldust).

allnurses Guide · Sep 11, 2003

Originally posted by Erinkate2959
I'm not really clear on what nursing unions are about.. What are the benefits to being in a union?

Erin

Our union has fought for and won:

-scheduling protections, such as no doubling back (working till 11P and having to come back at 7A), amoung other things

-every third weekend off, or time and a half until you do get one off, with reasonable efforts to make it every other one off

- option of working every weekend for bonus pay

-clinical ladder, so those who do all the extra stuff get paid for it without being called management

-voice and input in health insurance, can't change or lose it without our consent

-disciplinary protocols, so you can't be fired on a whim, or for disagreeing with someone

-staffing levels, nurse/patient ratios

We had none of these before the union. :rolleyes:

-jt · Sep 14, 2003

Re: that question about it being professional or not -- the answer below is straight from our national professional assoc:

The American Nurses Association (ANA) promotes representation of nurses by Constituent Member Nurses Associations (CMAs) because the implementation of nursing practice depends a great deal on the environment in which nurses practice and the quality of work life. As the health care industry continues to change, and hospitals restructure the delivery of care in response to that change, it is more important than ever that the collective voice of nurses is heard. There is no better vehicle for making that happen than collective bargaining through your professional association. Nurses representing nurses enhance quality nursing care.

As a professional nurse you have a big stake in the quality of health care your patients receive. As an employee, you deserve a fair wage and good working conditions. You can have a real voice in all of these issues as a member of a collective bargaining unit

Is Collective Bargaining Professional?

Collective Bargaining is a Professional Imperative!

One of the primary responsibilities of all professional nurses is to advocate for safe quality care for patients. Steps nurses can take to insure quality patient care include:

*Participate in workplace decisions affecting nursing care.

*Acquire the resources needed to perform your job effectively.

*Safeguard the standards of practice set by the profession.

*Protect employment rights and secure terms and conditions of employment to attract and retain qualified personnel.

Advocating for quality care is becoming increasingly difficult for nurses in today's environment of restructuring and mergers, where cost often comes before quality care. Working collectively, through a contract, to ensure a voice in the workplace is one of the most effective ways for nurses to protect themselves, their profession, and their patients. Collective bargaining is the most effective way you and your nurse colleagues can protect patients from inadequate and unsafe care.

Collective bargaining is professional and nurses have a legal right to use the collective bargaining process to protect their professionalism......

http://www.ana.org/dlwa/barg/index.htm

more info also at the website of the new national RN labor union -the United American Nurses:

http://www.UANnurse.org

rstewart · Sep 14, 2003

Originally posted by -jt
Re: that question about it being professional or not -- the answer below is straight from our national professional assoc:

[

Is Collective Bargaining Professional?
Collective Bargaining is a Professional Imperative!

Collective bargaining is the most effective way you and your nurse colleagues can protect patients from inadequate and unsafe care.

If the above is truly the ANA's position, why do they permit many of the affiliated state organizations to decline offering collective bargaining services?

One would think that if collective bargaining is indeed a professional imperative, they would insist upon participation---even at the risk of the states disaffiliating.

slinkeecat · Sep 14, 2003

Recently at work I was greeted by a union representative of this union called United health care workers of america or something to that effect... try and look them up on the net if you want to unionize... They tried to get a union started at the place I work. I am in WV and it is big time UNION for coal miners and etc... BUT much to my surprise, my co workers were not interested... Apparently in WV a person can call a union rep to come in and hold a meeting to see if there is an interest.... if there isn't more than 50% of the employees interested in forming a union, then it is not going to happen.....OR something to that efffect... hell, I am not Norma Raye, so I really don't know what the particulars are, but check into that....they must have a website.....