States that have nursing unions

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm wondering if there are certain states that have union nursing...or is it by region, metropolitan area, or what. I've googled it but can't find a website that has info on it.

It seems from many of the posts that for purposes of salary and job security...union is the way to go.

Some of the threads have been about nurses making (what appear to be)bogus, malicious, and otherwise false complaints to BONs or managements. I've looked at some of the laws governing nurses in various states, and it doesn't appear that there is much recourse for the accused. I can't imagine working in a profession in which I always have to be concerned about this.

I've really become somewhat concerned. This profession seems to be one in which people are really out to get you. Am I correct?? And if so, a union comes in handy.??

I have worked hard for the past few years...working and going to school for my pre-reqs. I'm really beginning to wonder about the people in this profession. I certainly don't want to work in a consistently hostile environment!!!

Life is too short!!

Specializes in L&D.
I'm wondering if there are certain states that have union nursing...or is it by region, metropolitan area, or what. I've googled it but can't find a website that has info on it.

It seems from many of the posts that for purposes of salary and job security...union is the way to go.

Some of the threads have been about nurses making (what appear to be)bogus, malicious, and otherwise false complaints to BONs or managements. I've looked at some of the laws governing nurses in various states, and it doesn't appear that there is much recourse for the accused. I can't imagine working in a profession in which I always have to be concerned about this.

I've really become somewhat concerned. This profession seems to be one in which people are really out to get you. Am I correct?? And if so, a union comes in handy.??

I have worked hard for the past few years...working and going to school for my pre-reqs. I'm really beginning to wonder about the people in this profession. I certainly don't want to work in a consistently hostile environment!!!

Life is too short!!

It's not just by state, it's not even region. When I worked Home Health, I was union, but a non-union hospital owned the company I worked for and was just a mile away. Weird.

um, having worked in unions and non unions, what I've found is that the unionized facilities have SO many barriers in place that it's next to impossible to terminate an employee. Non union have a solid set of policies which are followed in varying degrees upon which the process of discipline occurs through a written set of standards.

Now only speaking from my experience in no way representing the masses, one can simply claim discrimination; gender, ethnic or sex.... and once that file starts.... usually an employee that you wouldn't pay to wash your car uses this to stay employed and do the same incompetent job they've always done. While this to the reader may seem unfair, and yes the unions have excellent protection from getting the screw from administration..... I have yet to see my dues worth anything but job preservation for those who'd be terminated in the non union sector.

not meant in anyway to be inflamitory, just don't have the energy to post extensive examples of this to prove my point. any doubts feel free to pm me.

sad to say.... I love and hate the unions all at once and mine in Ny had NEVER addressed staffing guidelines... everyone got the same raise, so where is the incentive to work harder and do more? When bare minimum was just fine for so many.

Specializes in Emergency.

To answer the original question - unions are not dependent on state, region, district or even hospital. They exist anywhere a large enough group of employees get together and petition for recognition. Nurses can be union or non-union at hospitals next door to one another or even in the same hospital.

Now, as to the responses

um, having worked in unions and non unions, what I've found is that the unionized facilities have SO many barriers in place that it's next to impossible to terminate an employee. Non union have a solid set of policies which are followed in varying degrees upon which the process of discipline occurs through a written set of standards.

Pul-leasse - Having worked 30+years union and non-union and having helped negotiate contracts from both sides, the only thing I've learned is that neither unions nor hospitals are perfect. Some hospital administrations are great and truly concerned with their staff. Others are corrupt, arbitrary and mean-spirited. Some unions are fiesty, responsive advocates for their members and others are turgid bureaucracies shuffling paper while mouthing old labor slogans for the 1930's. To categorically say that all unionized facilities have needless personnel barriers in place and that all non-union hospitals have "solid sets of policies" is .....well, silly. Nursing is an internal cost of the medical business and it is in a hospital's short term economic interest to reduce that cost through lower wages and fewer positions. Some hospitals are smart enough to figure out that its in their long term interest to work with the nurses. Some won't figure it out and so it is often necessary for nurses (and other staff) to unionize to provide a counterforce. Now, without fresh input, unions can easily become stale and non-responsive. You can't just mail in your check and expect them to be all things. Vote in elections. If you're unhappy, go down to the union office and say so. I wish there was an easy "one size fits all" answer to this, but there isn't. You get what you pay for and payment isn't always in dollars

Hmmm...I guess I think it's interesting that no one refuted my assertion that bogus, malicious, or otherwise false complaints are made to administration and BsON. I read that to mean that my following assumption that nursing is a hostile workplace is correct? Anyone care to comment on that point?? Is that the way nurses are to one another?

Specializes in mostly in the basement.
I read that to mean that my following assumption that nursing is a hostile workplace is correct? Anyone care to comment on that point?? Is that the way nurses are to one another?

Fuzzie,

Are all FA's mean and nasty to each other? Do they write each other up for the most ridiculous things ever (the "correct" way to line an ice bucket)? Are some senior mommas out to get those on probation? Are there major drama queens--and the girls, too? YES!!!! Nursing can be like that too.

As former back end cargo myself I can tell you that there are lots of similarities to the two. Is EVERYONE like that? No. Neither were they in my flying days. I use the same attitude for both. I do my job well, have fun when I can and only trust those that I know I can. The others? Pfft.....I only work three days a week so it's even better than a three day. I'm not with them 24/7 and the crew changes every day.

BTW, as far as the union thing goes, I've only worked in CA at a union hospital and I can say I have no complaints as yet. Do I think a union is the panacea for all wrong with nursing? Huh uh. But I read on these boards the myriad crap some have to put up with--that stuff would never fly here. And, I am very well paid for a newer nurse. I'm not the least bit ashamed to say I would not do this job for the paltry amounts some other areas of the country and in non-union environments make. My sanity is more important. There was a thread about being in it for the caring or the cash---well, I care enough about myself to know what my job is worth and wouldn't put up with what I do veryday for a penny less.

Good luck with your future plans!

Fuzzie,

Are all FA's mean and nasty to each other? Do they write each other up for the most ridiculous things ever (the "correct" way to line an ice bucket)? Are some senior mommas out to get those on probation? Are there major drama queens--and the girls, too? YES!!!! Nursing can be like that too.

As former back end cargo myself I can tell you that there are lots of similarities to the two. Is EVERYONE like that? No. Neither were they in my flying days. I use the same attitude for both. I do my job well, have fun when I can and only trust those that I know I can. The others? Pfft.....I only work three days a week so it's even better than a three day. I'm not with them 24/7 and the crew changes every day.

BTW, as far as the union thing goes, I've only worked in CA at a union hospital and I can say I have no complaints as yet. Do I think a union is the panacea for all wrong with nursing? Huh uh. But I read on these boards the myriad crap some have to put up with--that stuff would never fly here. And, I am very well paid for a newer nurse. I'm not the least bit ashamed to say I would not do this job for the paltry amounts some other areas of the country and in non-union environments make. My sanity is more important. There was a thread about being in it for the caring or the cash---well, I care enough about myself to know what my job is worth and wouldn't put up with what I do veryday for a penny less.

Good luck with your future plans!

Thanks MM.

Yeah, I pretty much stay out of the bs at work too...but honestly...I haven't seen it (maybe I'm just stupid) when I fly...but I don't do much associating with airline people outside of work either. As far as the gossip and stuff when I'm at work...who has the time for it?? I'd rather read a book.

If you're looking for a union state, California is the best place to be. The California Nurses' Association is probably the biggest nurses' union but, there are others as well.

From what I can tell, unions used to be more prevalent in the northern part of the state, especially the Bay Area but, there's lots of hospitals in Southern California that have gone union in just the last five years. Union hospitals actually outnumber non-union hospitals in my area but, that wasn't the case five years ago.

IMO, unions won't prevent hostile environments but, they do help protect your job in the event that the environment is or becomes hostile.

:typing

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