Trying to Bust a Strike

heart queen · Jan 10, 2005

Our union contract is up for negotiation, "strike" talks are already in the works. I could argue for and against strikes 'till I'm blue in the face, having worked both union and non union.

The reality, for my union is that we would be funded so little in pay during a strike... that I would go bankrupt during a strike, period. I do not have the funds to go with little to no pay for months. I do not have the luxury to sit on any personal and work ethics... I need a paycheck to provide for my family.

Think about this when those of us easily say what we would do or NOT do. Right now.... $15 per day period and compare this to your pay.... how long could you hold on to your virtues and beliefs?

That being said, for those that cross... I can't place any judgement... for those who feel the battle is worth the HUGE, HUGE PERSONAL financial loss... I respect your fight.

Not all unions have contracts that provide pay even remotly similar to regular paychecks. I'm sure many of those striking do so at a VERY large cost, those that can't participate in a strike may be suffering for their lack of being able to do so as well.

Let's keep the discussion rolling......

stevierae · Jan 10, 2005

Perhaps we might all ponder that there's very little to be gained by labeling other nurses with such mean-spirited and hate-filled terms as "scabs."
Jim Huffman, RN

Jim, this has abolutely nothing to do with you, so please do not take it personally--but it seems that sooooo many nurses from the South ( notice that you are from North Carolina) are anti-union, and sooooo many nurses from the South--my Gosh, there were a lot of them with U.S. Nursing--seem to flock to CA anytime a hospital goes on strike, clueless and perhaps not caring WHY those RNs are on strike. Now, what is a better word for those nurses who refuse solidarity with their sister and brother nurses?

PhoenixGirl · Jan 10, 2005

The reality, for my union is that we would be funded so little in pay during a strike... that I would go bankrupt during a strike, period. I do not have the funds to go with little to no pay for months. I do not have the luxury to sit on any personal and work ethics... I need a paycheck to provide for my family.

Student here so please forgive me if I sound naive....Wouldn't it be possible for striking nurses to strike, and at the same time work temp/agency at another facility until the strike is over? Or is that just not possible most of the time?

Rebecca

stevierae · Jan 10, 2005

The reality, for my union is that we would be funded so little in pay during a strike... that I would go bankrupt during a strike, period. I do not have the funds to go with little to no pay for months. I do not have the luxury to sit on any personal and work ethics... I need a paycheck to provide for my family.
Student here so please forgive me if I sound naive....Wouldn't it be possible for striking nurses to strike, and at the same time work temp/agency at another facility until the strike is over? Or is that just not possible most of the time?Rebecca

That's exactly what we did, the times we were on strike in CA--and, when the OR techs went on strike (they were a different union) they did the same thing. A certain amount of time is expected out on the strike line, but one can, and most do, work registry.

The problem occurs when an entire GROUP of hospitals goes on strike--such as just happened with Sutter, in Northern CA--and there just isn't enough registry work to go around for all that might want to work at the remaining hospitals. Then, you just take a travel assignment, and let them know that yuo might have to go back before 13 weeks is up. If you do this, you forfeit your completion bonus.

James Huffman · Jan 10, 2005

Jim, this has abolutely nothing to do with you, so please do not take it personally--but it seems that sooooo many nurses from the South ( notice that you are from North Carolina) are anti-union, and sooooo many nurses from the South--my Gosh, there were a lot of them with U.S. Nursing--seem to flock to CA anytime a hospital goes on strike, clueless and perhaps not caring WHY those RNs are on strike. Now, what is a better word for those nurses who refuse solidarity with their sister and brother nurses?

I certainly don't take it personally. I honestly have no clue why California gets nurses from the South. I have never worked in a situation such as you describe, and will leave it to others more knowledgable than myself to answer.

However ... I repeat my question about the use of the hate-filled and intolerant term "scab"? I'm a strong believer in freedom of choice, and I don't understand why some nurses are -- by use of such a term -- so intolerant of nurses who choose to work differently than they do. Why would anyone use such a nasty, mean-spirited term?

Jim Huffman, RN

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2005

Jim, this has abolutely nothing to do with you, so please do not take it personally--but it seems that sooooo many nurses from the South ( notice that you are from North Carolina) are anti-union, and sooooo many nurses from the South--my Gosh, there were a lot of them with U.S. Nursing.

I am from the South, born and bred.

I will never work a strike.

Virtually every union hospital that I have worked in, as a traveler..there is a greater than average number of "always late, frequently lazy, bad attitude" personnel that scream "union" everytime that they are called on their bad behavior. Thus, I do not care to work union facilities at all. And, interestingly , the only facility that had regular mandated OT was a union hospital.

I personally have noticed more yankees among the scabs that I know of.

And why we flock to the North and the West....why, for the same reason that Northerners flock to Florida and Midwesterners flock to the South and the Northeast. It is new, different and interesting.

But until y'all kick Arnie the nurse terminator to the curb and back to Hitler's Germany....where he belongs, I have no intention on going to Cali. I am redheaded and sunburn way too easily. And I am Jewish and he scares me.

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Be careful when making generalizations. When your finger points at me, there are three pointing back at you.

James Huffman · Jan 10, 2005

Contrary to an earlier post, NO ONE belongs in Hitler's Germany. Surely, we can show civility to other human beings, and not wish that kind of horror on anyone.

Jim Huffman, RN

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2005

Jim, this has abolutely nothing to do with you, so please do not take it personally--but it seems that sooooo many nurses from the South ( notice that you are from North Carolina) are anti-union, and sooooo many nurses from the South--my Gosh, there were a lot of them with U.S. Nursing--seem to flock to CA anytime a hospital goes on strike, clueless and perhaps not caring WHY those RNs are on strike. Now, what is a better word for those nurses who refuse solidarity with their sister and brother nurses?

Im one of those Southeners who go to strikes. Let me assure you I am not the least bit clueless in anyway shape or form. Nor am I uncaring, I love my work.

But my eyes are also open to the world, as long as there are strikes there will be those who are willing to work strikes. I also know that the only reasons nurses ever come up for to strike can and always have to do with money. Pure Plain and Simple. Some say its for better patient care, this translates into, put more money in my pocket and I will give better patient care, or at least not complain as often. Some say its for better beneifts to nurses, that obviously comes down to Dollars and Cents.

Let me also say I am not antiunion and never have been, however I dont necessarily trust a bunch of Lawyers and Prounionists with their own agenda and power struggle.

Remeber Unionism is a dictatorship of mass mediocrity

James Huffman · Jan 10, 2005

Tom, my apologies if I was not clear. I do not mean to say that the nurses working replacement are clueless: just that I don't know the answer to the earlier post's question. Thanks for your insights.

Jim Huffman, RN

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2005

Contrary to an earlier post, NO ONE belongs in Hitler's Germany. Surely, we can show civility to other human beings, and not wish that kind of horror on anyone.

Unfortunately that horror continues, in Afghanistan, Sudan, etal. It just wears a different face.

And given Arnie's checkered past and current policies and behavior., he would probably do well politically there.

wjf00 · Jan 10, 2005

I am from the South, born and bred.
Virtually every union hospital that I have worked in, as a traveler..there is a greater than average number of "always late, frequently lazy, bad attitude" personnel that scream "union" everytime that they are called on their bad behavior. Thus, I do not care to work union facilities at all. And, interestingly , the only facility that had regular mandated OT was a union hospital.
Be careful when making generalizations. When your finger points at me, there are three pointing back at you.

So if there are "Greater than average" number of these workers at these union hospitals, I would like to know the what the "averages" are at non-union hospitals. I would love to see the data. By the way, if you would like to see the pay and benefits disparity between union and non union hospitals you can find that information very easily. I just can't seem to find anything that backs up your assertion that me and my union brothers and sisters are "bad attitude and always late".

wjf00 · Jan 10, 2005

Im one of those Southeners who go to strikes. Let me assure you I am not the least bit clueless in anyway shape or form. Nor am I uncaring, I love my work.
But my eyes are also open to the world, as long as there are strikes there will be those who are willing to work strikes. I also know that the only reasons nurses ever come up for to strike can and always have to do with money. Pure Plain and Simple. Some say its for better patient care, this translates into, put more money in my pocket and I will give better patient care, or at least not complain as often. Some say its for better beneifts to nurses, that obviously comes down to Dollars and Cents.
Let me also say I am not antiunion and never have been, however I dont necessarily trust a bunch of Lawyers and Prounionists with their own agenda and power struggle.
Remeber Unionism is a dictatorship of mass mediocrity

So if strikes are always about money, would you be trying to break those strikes for all truistic reasons?