What if I want to quit the union?

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2008

I work in Pennsylvania. Belonging to the union at my facility is a requirement. I pay dues of $25/check and 7% of my gross (SEIU). I've never heard of the Becks Objector status until now. I'm going to look into it. It's nice to know what my options are even if I don't apply them.

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Sep 7, 2008

Having had worked at a unionized facility and had a parent that belonged to unions for years reading these posts here it is clear that many don't understand what unions are or their concept. First of all by joining YOU are the union. SO if a a facility has 500 nurses and 450 join that is the union. Its not some mysterious entity from afar its the nurses themselves, not some outside source, unless they hire someone to assist in that capacity. Most do as we are nurses not contract negotiators. If you don't like the union, your the ones that guide it, your the ones that can change it.

Rj

Post 1000

Kojak · Sep 7, 2008

Having had worked at a unionized facility and had a parent that belonged to unions for years reading these posts here it is clear that many don't understand what unions are or their concept. First of all by joining YOU are the union. SO if a a facility has 500 nurses and 450 join that is the union. Its not some mysterious entity from afar its the nurses themselves, not some outside source, unless they hire someone to assist in that capacity. Most do as we are nurses not contract negotiators. If you don't like the union, your the ones that guide it, your the ones that can change it.
Rj
Post 1000

I currently work in a unionized facility and I FULLY understand the significance of the union in my workplace. I could write a book about "my" union, but I'll just make two points. One - I did not join a union. "My" union did not give me a choice in the matter. Two - The political agenda of "my" union is very much opposite of my own political views. I don't ever remember a questionnaire being sent to members asking their views on the issues. Why not? Because the agenda is pretty much set in stone; it's not going to change. "YOU are the union" is not the reality for a lot of people. If you don't see that, perhaps you don't understand what unions are all about.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2008

NYS is a "closed shop" state. Even if you refuse to join - which you may do - you must pay dues if you work in a union shop.

OC_An Khe · Sep 7, 2008

Not every union is the same. Some are better then others, some let the local concentrate on controlling their specific local issues. Others try and make every local follow a statewide or national agenda. Just like government you get what you vote for. Unfortunately, after the first union organizing vote most members decrease the activity in the union as well as keeping current on the issues and end up voting to keep the status quo. Or even worse by not voting at all thus insuring that current leadership becomes entrenched and non responsive to the needs of its members.

Dues like wages vary widely across the country and are directly affected by state laws.

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Sep 7, 2008

Not every union is the same. Some are better then others, some let the local concentrate on controlling their specific local issues. Others try and make every local follow a statewide or national agenda. Just like government you get what you vote for. Unfortunately, after the first union organizing vote most members decrease the activity in the union as well as keeping current on the issues and end up voting to keep the status quo. Or even worse by not voting at all thus insuring that current leadership becomes entrenched and non responsive to the needs of its members.
Dues like wages vary widely across the country and are directly affected by state laws.

Exactly, most like the insurance, retirement, seniority, education, job security and wage benefits they get with a union contract. Most local unions then affiliate with national organizations to obtain expertise in negotiating for those things. A lot of those are very politically involved and WE the individual often don't agree with those ideas. The problem lies in like you state we don't vote and are not involved like we should be. WE are our union, but by ignoring it WE let it become THEIR union. Also you don't have to work there, how many hospitals are there in the USA.

Rj

K98 · Sep 7, 2008

Having had worked at a unionized facility and had a parent that belonged to unions for years reading these posts here it is clear that many don't understand what unions are or their concept. First of all by joining YOU are the union. SO if a a facility has 500 nurses and 450 join that is the union. Its not some mysterious entity from afar its the nurses themselves, not some outside source, unless they hire someone to assist in that capacity. Most do as we are nurses not contract negotiators. If you don't like the union, your the ones that guide it, your the ones that can change it.
Rj
Post 1000

I understand unions. I was an active member of the ATU for 25 years (now retired). The SEIU is useless, nothing but a drain on our paychecks. They remind me of a protection racket, shaking the staff down for 60.00 a month per head then doing nothing for their "protectees"...

1Tulip · Sep 9, 2008

I decided I had to get out of the union the day I faced the fact that I could not in good conscience engage in a work action. I can't work hard with my patients on Monday and look them in the eye and say... "oh, but... by the way... I won't be here Tuesday because I'm going to be on the picket line."

Over 80% of our nurses don't feel this way. I have nothing but respect for them. (If I didn't, I wouldn't work alongside them.) I realize decisions like this are a highly personal form of moral calculus. My decision applies to me only, and no one reading this should infer anything beyond that.

But having made the decision, I need to extract myself from the union.

menetopali · Sep 10, 2008

Hi GrilledCheese.. I just got hired at a unionized hospital and my union dues come to about $48/ month. I'm sure it varies according to hospital, and I know in my hospital at least those who work part-time pay less. The dues, for me, don't kick in until the first day of my fourth month (I'm in the probation period for 3 months so not part of the union) but I do know that once it kicks in they take $100 from my payck ($50 for 2 months) for "initiation fees", whatever that means.. :) Hope this helps.

it means you pay for the privilege of being allowed to work

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2008

I don't believe for even a moment that my union (SEIU) spends 5.00 of my dues on political action. More like 55.00.

I laughed really hard when I read this! I have been with SEIU, closed shop, for 10 years. I had to pry out of them the process for becoming a "fair share employee" which allows me to get all of about 150$ back a year out of 1100$. It means I can no longer vote on union issues. That's ok with me because I work alone for my agency and the union has never even attempted to meet with me in 10 years over my issues.

The total reason I went fair share was the outrageous political lean they have and the overt attitude that if you don't support their candidate you are a drooling idiot. I have received over 35 pieces of mail for their candidate this political season as well as near nightly phone calls.

I do get good automatic raises. I make a decent wage and have excellent benefits. I'd probably be more pro-union if not for all the political pressure.

Kojak · Sep 12, 2008

I'd probably be more pro-union if not for all the political pressure.

That and the fact that ours is a closed shop. RN's have NO CHOICE at our hospital but to be represented by the union and pay its dues. I can't tell you how steamed I was to see part of my hard earned money go to support the #$%#@ Michael Moore produced. :down:

1Tulip · Sep 14, 2008

OK...

I sent the letter off certified mail return receipt requested. I also sent a copy to the regional director of the National Labor Relations Board.

I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Anyone know how I can get them to quit calling me? I always tell them I am not interested and always ask them to take me off their calling list, but that hasn't done any good.

J