Unions

I work in a critical access hospital in rural Montana. In short, if it were not for the RN's being unionized, things here would be worse than they are already. It does keep management away from some things. Problem I see is that if you could get ALL the nurses to stick together, things would be much better for us all. But as in most cases, there is always a few who don't see the big picture and only think of their own interests for right now. Sucks. I don't see much use for the union here because if they (management) want to run you over - they will.

I'm a union fan in principle and practice. We organized our hospital in 2000 and it has made a real difference here in making nurses personal lives and incomes better and in giving us a more meaningful voice in decision making. It's taken time for management to get over the "fight the union" mindset they developed during the organizing campaign and begin to be able to work constructively with us. But they are now finally coming around and we are being able to make an even bigger difference. Making the economics better for nurses was the easy part, making the care environment better is harder, but the results of that are beginning to really show up now. The last thing to say is that it depends on the union. I'm a believer in nurse unions controlled by nurses - like the better state nurses associations are. Because many state nurses associations don't do collective bargaining, a lot of non-nurse unions have organized some nurses and they don't tend to get nurse issues as well. Everyone from the steelworkers, teamsters and laborers unions to several teachers unions have some nurses they represent, but they can never do it in the way a nurse union can.

I work in a critical access hospital in rural Montana. In short, if it were not for the RN's being unionized, things here would be worse than they are already. It does keep management away from some things. Problem I see is that if you could get ALL the nurses to stick together, things would be much better for us all. But as in most cases, there is always a few who don't see the big picture and only think of their own interests for right now. Sucks. I don't see much use for the union here because if they (management) want to run you over - they will.

I'm not sure I get your point here. You "don't see much use for the union", but those few who don't agree with you should join it? I'm not trying to be a smarty-pants, I just know next to nothing about unions. If the union is nearly useless, what is the big picture? Why is it that people who don't agree with you about the union are selfish? And if the union is indeed useless, maybe the few do see the big picture? Your post is confusing.

:yeah:We are struggling in Tx to get the word out about the vote this spring in the Tx legislature to mandate nurse to pt ratios and whistle blower protection. Any suggestions from anyone?

I look at ca.and n.y. To see better working conditions . These have been achieved with the help of unions

Perhaps calling and writing your local legislators. You can find out how here:

http://www.calnurses.org/nnoc/texas/?print=t

Or contact other nurses to work together. A phone number is here:

http://www.calnurses.org/nnoc/

I am a firm believer in contacting out legislators, and voicing my opinion firmly, soundly, intellectually, and with passion and resolve. I am sure the FBI and other agencies already have a nice dossier on me for my communications and beliefs. I love it personally.

CON: Unions are prime soil for the sprouting up of corruption.

CON: Incompetent/lazy/dishonest employees often find protection (from the due consequences they deserve) under the umbrella of the union

Those 2 "objections" sound like they were lifted out of The Weekly Standard.

Managerial corruption in organizations such as Enron, AIG, Goldman Sachs dwarfs any venality that may be seen in a local union.

Due process protects both the employee and the organization. Consistent work rules tend to professionalize management and enhance organizational effectiveness.

Those 2 "objections" sound like they were lifted out of The Weekly Standard.

Managerial corruption in organizations such as Enron, AIG, Goldman Sachs dwarfs any venality that may be seen in a local union.

Due process protects both the employee and the organization. Consistent work rules tend to professionalize management and enhance organizational effectiveness.

You may be correct about managerial corruption. Google SEIU and tell me what you think. The purple and yellow protection racket organized our facility a few years back. Dues continue to climb, not a penny stays in the local. It ALL goes to the international. What do they do with it? They continue their relentless organization campaign to make THEMSELVES bigger. It is all about the SEIU, not the members. This is strictly a political organization. Our contracts are garbage. Most RNs that were on the staff prior to the SEIU see no differences, save the 70.00 per month missing from their pay. Do yourself a favor, organize with a NURSING union, don't allow the SEIU into your facility. Our staff is tiring of the high dues and lack of competent representation. Many are talking about de-certifying the purple and yellow monster.

OK people. What do you think about quasi-bedside or non-bedside employees being a member of the union (e.g. infection control, education, quality, legal, utilization management)? I can appreciate needing protection from an unrelenting or overbearing boss/manager, but is union the way to go in these roles?

I do agree that when you have employees performing services that directly impact the patient/family a union may be needed.

My experience with unionized employees have been mostly negative. Some just basically wanted the protection of the union to keep from being bull-dozed by management as they were giving their all to the patients. Some use the union as a way to attack non-unionized employees. Still many others use it to avoid giving 100% in their jobs. Where I currently work, the preponderance of employees use unions to get by in their jobs.