Union

[buchanki, BSN, RN]

Hi! I have recently started work at a hospital where the nurses are represented by a union. We have the option to join if we would like and pay dues, or we do not have to join the union. I know each hospital/contract is different, but do any of you have experience as a member of the union? Any experiences would be great to hear!

[chare]

While I have never been a fan of unions, I am even less a fan of right to work states. You are going to benefit from the negotiated contract from your first day, and will continue to benefit from it in the future.

Don't you think the proper thing to do would be to support it?

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

I have been a member of a non-nursing union - by all means, be a member and, if you're so inclined, go to meetings and participate. Unions are an excellent means to counter the imbalance of power between administration and rank-and-file employees.

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

I have worked at a non-union and currently work at a union hospital. You usually have better pay and benefits and they do come in handy if management tries to circumvent the rules. My only knock on unions is they do a poor job of getting rid of poor workers.

[ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN]

I have not been a fan of unions in a past until I saw a dear friend fired from a large hospital conglomorate that is active and owns most of the hospitals in the states she lives in and around her. When she told me their "reasons" most were very piddly little things and would not be firable offences where I work. Then she mentioned that a lot of the older nurses were either leaving and a few had been fired prior to her... she was too expensive. Also, once you're fired in that system, you're non-rehirable in all of the other hospitals = good luck getting a job. I suggested getting a lawyer, then I looked into it myself and realized that legally, they can fire you just because they don't like the way you look at them. They don't even have to have a reason. It's sad and wrong. At least you'd have some recourse with a union and could maybe have some options. If I had the option, I'd join a union. Our state doesn't have them though.

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

1 hour ago, ClaraRedheart said:

Then she mentioned that a lot of the older nurses were either leaving and a few had been fired prior to her... she was too expensive. Also, once you're fired in that system, you're non-rehirable in all of the other hospitals = good luck getting a job. I suggested getting a lawyer, then I looked into it myself and realized that legally, they can fire you just because they don't like the way you look at them. They don't even have to have a reason.

Except that age discrimination is actionable

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

1 hour ago, TheSquire said:

Except that age discrimination is actionable

Incredibly difficult to prove though