Unions - Yay or Nay?

[Kiwi82, BSN, RN]

For those of you have have worked in both union and non-union hospitals - what are the pros and cons? 

Have any of you worked for a hospital that became unionized while you were there? Pros and Cons?

Need honest feedback!

[newyorkrn, BSN, RN]

I don't have experience, but I'm following because I'd love to know as well!

[Accolay]

I'm biased- I work in a hospital represented by a union and have for the entirety of my nursing career. We have a strong union.  My comment here is going to sound like I'm trying to recruit you. I'm pro union but wish it wasn't necessary. Besides, there are other things I could do with the money used for union dues. But I think it is necessary- I don't like paying taxes either, but it's how the world works.

What I have experienced is that with the union you know exactly what you're going to get- the contract is there so both the employee and employer know what is expected and there is no mystery with compensation, benefits or discipline.

The only reason the debate about unions exists is because companies have used consultants and the PR industry to sow the seeds of doubt inserting magical thinking such as "I'm a free individual American citizen, I can bargain for myself and do better than these schleps without having to pay for these expensive union dues" and Americans end up accepting worse compensation and benefits as Americans have for over 40 years now.

I have heard some (not many) complain about the union where I work, mostly it's about the union not doing enough or the monthly fee we pay for representation. Those people have not considered all the history of benefits the hospital wanted to decrease or remove. The question I ask is if they've ever participated in the union- ever been to a meeting? They never have.

I know many good nurses who had problems with a bad manager and would have been fired if not for the union. Regarding the union dues, we have received much more compensation in the form of raises- I view the dues as a wash. Direct benefits of the union in the time I've worked here, among other things in our contract:

-wouldn't have bargained for raises I.e. either not gotten any or much much less.

-they would have given us garbage medical insurance

-we would easily be mandated for shifts

-we would have worse or no differential pay.

-the pay in our area with good union representation has actually helped raise the pay in the surrounding areas without good union representation.

-removes discrimination in pay. Doesn't matter your age, sex, ethnicity, no favoritism, yada yada yada. The pay chart is right there.

Unions depend on participation of their members or at least agreement on what they bargain. If you live somewhere where people have bought into the idea that unions are a bad deal, it's the only thing that would make me think twice about working in a union.

[exit96]

I've been part of bigger, strong Unions, and these I would support 100%. Currently I was in a small, amalgamated union, which is basically worthless. I am currently wondering how to expose the corruption I see. The Union rep is besties with the DON, receives special treatment, and so does her "little boy" who she is mentoring. It's pathetic. They don't represent anyone, they turn people in and tattle to the DON over trivial stuff. They receive bonuses that no one else receives. 

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

Yay

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

On 3/7/2022 at 1:27 PM, Kiwi82 said:

Have any of you worked for a hospital that became unionized while you were there? Pros and Cons?

Yup,it was a great learning experience,how things work,political activisim,negotiating skills,and....standing up for myself while risking job....learning about those who will betray you,put the union down but never give back the raise,LOL.

Some anti union  co workers knew the contract better than the union leadership,especially when it came to enforcing union benefits.

It is a battle with mgmt that never ends, many of us became persona non grata,never eligible for any type of work recognition nor  awards.The mgmt was always waiting for us to trip up,so you had to be on your A game every day.But we learned to fight back,push back,had some strikes,and in the end the Alien had plenty of dough they were holding out on,while making us for free(no OT pay) and breaking the labor laws.

Hope you find a good place.

The so called professional nursing associations were weak versions,in bed with mgmt, not worth the dues.Stay away from those hospitals,.Look up the nurse who got Ebola...

[AlwaysTiredNP, MSN, APRN, NP]

If the union is active, it’s a yay for me.  Better working conditions, better pay. Good benefits and better protections.

[Kitiger, RN]

I cannot find it in my heart to go on strike, so I would have to say nay. I understand that many nurses believe strongly that by going on strike they are making things better for their patients. My problem is that they are focused on their future patients while I am focused on my current patients. 

I worked in a non-union hospital while the other hospital in town was unionized. When they went on strike, we took care of the patients who needed to be hospitalized. We were overflowing with patients. The hardest for me were the ones who needed open heart surgery but were denied. I knew of one who went to Canada to get his needed surgery done. And I got to know another who lived in our hospital until it was too late for the surgery to help her. 

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

I'm a union gal

We have NZNO which is a nationwide union. The DHB meca is incrediblty strong, including time and a half on weekends. Penal rates for afternoons and night shifts. Public holidays double time plus a day in lieu. Have just changed jobs and got holiday leave and 8 lieu days paid out. Nice to have a padding in the bank account now. 

The bigger the union the more likely you will actually achieve the sort of change you want to see. 

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

Those of you that are in unions/pro-unions, what states?  I live in a state that is non-union, a "right to work" state where I am not sure unions can even have much leverage. I originally lived in a state with very strong union presence for other fields (trucking teamsters, plumbers, electricians). I can't see it being successful in right to work states. 

I am struggling with the complaints/interest from people that have been on the job a year, have great ratios and benefits, and the opportunity for participating in practice councils-and don't, but want a union to come and do-I don't know exactly what. 

I just wonder if people that are pushing for unions really understand how they work and what can actually be accomplished. My personal feelings are that it is the difference between a non-profit and a for-profit organization. I work for a non-profit and feel like we are being treated well. 

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

On 9/27/2022 at 11:53 AM, mmc51264 said:

 

I just wonder if people that are pushing for unions really understand how they work and what can actually be accomplished. 

I get good conditions including ten days a year sick leave, four weeks annual leave, study leave, bereavement leave. The hourly rates could be better we get +50% per hour on the weekend, +25% extra per hour on night shift, double time plus a paid day in lieu which helps make a better pay rates. 

More importantly the having a strong union means that much of the crap I read about happening to nurses on this forum would not be allowed to fly including termination without notice. We have a process including 3 warnings, less for serious misconduct prior to sacking.

I think either employer and employee is required to give four weeks notice. 

At least part of the reason why we have such good benefits is that we have a national employment contact and union. The bigger the union the more effective benefits it can negotiate. 

 

I think the problem in the US is that its in the employers best interests not to have strong unions and there are activists who are actively discouraging people from joining a unions. These people are no friend of nurses

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

On 11/13/2022 at 2:33 AM, Tenebrae said:

I think the problem in the US is that its in the employers best interests not to have strong unions and there are activists who are actively discouraging people from joining a unions. These people are no friend of nurses

I work with nurses who have friends working in union hospitals and their conditions are worse than where I am. I work with a great organization. They have listened to us and acted when things got rough. This is a competitive area with several hospitals (2 teaching) in the area so the nurses are the winners. From what I see-the unions can also have ulterior motives ($) and are no friend of nurses.