unions or not

fergus51 · Oct 8, 2004

I would suggest you do a search on this topic. It has been discussed a lot in the past.

I personally prefer working in a unionized environment. I work in nurses' unions only and have found them to be a good thing in terms of salary and working conditions, and they provide a route for conflict resolution. I will say, unions are only as strong as their weakest members though.

Roland · Oct 8, 2004

I too have wondered about this question. A good place to begin would be to look at those states which have large, nursing unions. I'm not even sure which states this includes, but I think that it includes Hawaii and New Jersey. Then, I would compare the overall working conditions, pay, benefits, and "nursing unemployment" rate to states that do not have unions. One possible concern that I have about unions is that they would reduce "unusual, high pay opportunities". Consider, that around here there are several hospitals that will pay almost double (approximately $37 per hour) if you are willing to work nights, and weekends (usually third shift, Fri, Sat, and Sunday). In addition, there are many home health care agencies that will pay upwards of $33,00 per hour (which can really help out if you are the type of person who likes to work several extra shifts per week). My concern is that under a union system the "base pay" would be better, but that "extra opportunities" such as these would decrease.

fergus51 · Oct 8, 2004

Look to California. A lack of high paying jobs is certainly not a problem:). My regular pay is about $30 an hour, and there are plenty of agency jobs and travel jobs still available. Couple that with the best mandated staffing ratios I've seen and the CNA isn't doing too badly. I've actually heard it argued that CNA has increased the number of premium pay situations because they got the staffing law passed. Hospitals have to meet the ratios whenever possible, and many offer nurses premium pay to do it.

Roland · Oct 10, 2004

One really good thing about unions are potential retirement benefits. My mom retired as a teacher in Indiana and drew a pension of all most $2,000 per month. In addition, she had access to Blue/Cross and Shield via Anthem. This was only possible due to the efforts of the ISTA (Indiana State Teachers Association). I think pension plans in part subsidized by health care agencies would be a really worthwhile goal no matter what side of the union argument one is on.

Sheri257 · Oct 10, 2004

I truly believe unions are key for nurses. Look at the California Nurses Association: they got the first nurse-patient ratio law passed in this country and the first lift team bill which would have eliminated many back injuries. But, unfortunately, the lift team bill was vetoed by the Governator. :devil:

Nevertheless, look at the salaries that CNA has negotiated for their members, especially the info at the bottom of the page:

http://www.calnurse.org/cna/organ/top5-1.htm

IMHO, union is the only way to go.

:clown:

heart queen · Oct 12, 2004

A union is only as strong as it's weakest member who must choose whether to fight a battle.

If complacency is strong in your facility; a union will only collect your dues. Each member must approach a union rep. to assist in a fight, not have a rep. do the fighting for them.

Many pay dues and complain, yet never launch the FIGHT to the union for change. This is why many unions have a bad rap, yet it's us in the trenches that are falling short.

Important questions to ask when a portion of your pay will go to a union and your peers are either ready to fight for change, or predominantly complacent.